West Fest 2003

ROCKWELL MUSEUM "WEST FEST" FEATURES FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

May 20, 2003

Looking for a family outing that's out-of-this-world? Better still, how about one that's straight out of the West! Just down the road in Corning, a fun-on-the-range West Fest is scheduled for the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. The day-long celebration of the West will be held on Saturday, July 26, timed to coincide with the community-wide ARTSFest sponsored by Corning Intown Promotions.

Activities for the young and young-at-heart are scheduled from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Plaza West, the museum's outdoor festival area directly behind the museum. The festivities continue for adults in the evening from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. There's food available from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm provided by the Rockwell's next-door neighbor, the Cantina. Pork barbecue is the main feature at West Fest, but the Cantina will also offer its full menu in the restaurant, including Western-style vegetarian fare.

Family activities to be held throughout the 11:00 to 4:00 time slot include:
Cowboyologist Doug Corey- He recreates the Old West with his authentic chuck wagon. See it and chat with him informally. He loves questions!
Chalk the Town West! - Use your own imagination and draw a town on our gigantic chalk board.
Clay Play - Have fun creating your own original miniature pinch pot with self-hardening clay.
Mini-Trading Post- A time for pretend...living and working as they did in the old west in our child-sized model.
Hobby Horse - Create your own version of this favorite toy of yesteryear.

The featured entertainment for families is scheduled from 12:00 to 1:45, when Doc Possum Sings! Dave Cavallaro sings and plays songs folks remember fondly and others they'll never forget. This appealing and popular entertainer has won a special place in the hearts of children and their parents throughout the area, and he recently cut a new CD of children's songs.

All family events are free of charge except for the hobby horse, which has a nominal charge for materials ($3.00 members; $5.00 not-yet-members). Food is also sold at reasonable prices.

The evening festivities are geared for adults. Wes Earl's Geneva-based country-western band, Aces High, will provide lively entertainment. Guests are invited to kick up their heels or just "set a spell" and listen. For those who are not too sure about which heel to kick, Jackie Streeter will offer quick-and-easy dance lessons. Any way folks choose to participate, this band brings smiles. Admission for this event is $3 for members, $4 for not-yet-members. The Cantina's delicious salsa and chips will be provided at no additional cost, and nominal fees for soft and hard drinks will be charged at the cash bar.

West Fest provides a great chance to visit the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, which houses the largest and finest collection of Western Art on the east coast. The museum underwent a top-to-bottom renovation in 2001, and the historic 1893 City Hall is now vibrant inside with the colors of the West. The museum features Western and Native American art spanning more than two centuries, and includes not only nineteenth-century masters like Remington, Russell, Bierstadt, and Moran, but also contemporary artists including Ithaca's own Kay WalkingStick, along with Taos artists from the early twentieth century, Andy Warhol's Western prints, and much more. Exhibitions are arranged by theme, with the old and new side-by-side to inspire thought and conversation. This summer, the museum's special exhibition is Re-presenting Representation VI-The West, a biennial show featuring some of the most exciting and diverse western representational artists of today. In addition, the Education Gallery features winners of the Rockwell Award for Western Art - fourth and seventh graders whose works address the question: "Who Are the Iroquois?"

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located on the corner of Cedar Street and Denison Parkway in Corning. From Ithaca, go south on Route 13 to Route 17/Interstate 86 West. Take Exit 46, then turn left onto Centerway, which becomes Cedar Street just over the bridge. It's less than one mile from Exit 46 to the Rockwell Museum. Further information about the museum and the West Fest is available by calling the museum at 607-937-5386.