The High Noon parade featured horses and all symbols representing the old western film heritage. Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
KANAB – The 15th Annual “Little Hollywood” Western Legends Roundup took place Aug. 22-24 in Kanab. This year’s roundup was dedicated to movie legend, Clint ‘’Cheyenne” Walker who starred in “Fort Dobbs” in 1958.
There are 100 movies, eight made-for-TV movies, three IMAX films, and 16 television series that were filmed in Kanab. The oldest movie filmed in Utah’s Little Hollywood was “Deadwood Coach” in 1924 starring, Tom Mix and Tony the Horse.
“I think the main mission of the Western Legends round up is to remind us that we need to preserve our heritage here,” volunteer Sherron Bunting said.
With modernized television and movies nowadays in color and, from the viewpoint of some, less class, the older westerns are becoming hidden from today’s world. But the Western Legends Roundup is an effective reminder of the “good old days” and the old western traditions that deserve to be kept alive and cherished.
(report continues below)
Videocast by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
“We had our panel yesterday and we were talking about these newer, modern … westerns and they are so different from when I was in the industry,” said Roberta Shore, who starred in “The Virginian,” “They are just not the wholesome, good movies, really good movies they used to have. It’s a shame.”
Denny Miller starred as Duke Shannon in the Western TV series, “Wagon Train.” He also played “Tarzan, The Ape Man” in 1959, and guest starred on the iconic TV Series “Gilligan’s Island.” Of later recognition, Miller was the yellow slickered fisherman for Gorton’s Fish for nearly a decade and a half until he was recently replaced with a younger “fisherman.” When asked what it is like to see TV and movies progress over time, he said, “Have they? I don’t think they have,” and gave a big smile.
Nearly 90 vendors lined Little Hollywood’s Main Street Saturday and there were two stages with continuous entertainment.
Saturday started off with “Breakfast with the Stars” at 8 a.m. leading a day full with events, including the “High Noon Parade” and a barn dance ending at midnight.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, visitors were able to meet the stars and get autographs and pictures taken. Some of the stars that attended were, Clint Walker, Peter Ford, Roberta Shore, Cheryl Rogers Barnett, Denny Miller, Peter Brown, Dan Haggerty, Wyatt McCrea (Grandson of Joel McCrea), Johnny Crawford, and Kathy Garver.
The stars had just as much fun at the Western Legends Roundup as the visitors that came to the event.
“We just love it,” Cheryl Rogers Barnett said. “It’s a great film festival. My favorite part is meeting all of the people.”
Cheryl Rogers Barnett and her husband Larry Barnett moved to Washington, Utah, nine years ago after becoming captivated by Southern Utah as they participated in the Western Legends Roundups since its second year. Cheryl Rogers Barnett is the daughter of classic western legends, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
One of the biggest pieces of advice everyone can take away from these stars is to not be afraid of rejection and follow your dreams.
“If you have got a dream, don’t let anyone squash it. You got to be able to take 100 percent rejection, if you can’t deal with that, go do something else,” Miller said. “Follow your dream, because it is so much fun.”
Next year’s Western Legends Roundup is taking place Aug. 21-23, 2014. For more information visit www.westernlegendsroundup.com.
UPDATED Aug. 25, 2013 – Photos added of western stars who gathered for a private lunch on Sunday, following the close of the festival.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Crowds gathered for some Q & A time with some stars on Main Street,
Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
The High Noon parade featured horses and all symbols representing the old
western film heritage. Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St.
George News
This Clint Eastwood poster helped bring the traditional western feel to the
film festival. Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George
News
There is a quilt show every year at the Western Legends Round up. Kanab,
Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Cheryl Rogers Barnett hosted a table at “Meet the Stars” where visitors
could come and get autographs and pictures from the celebrities. She wrote a book
about what it was like to grow up with her parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Denny Miller starred in Tarzan and Gilligan’s Island. Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23,
2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Stars set up a panel on Main Street to answers questions that fans had for them. Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Hunter shows off her cowboy pride at the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
Crowds at the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
L-R: Professional film stuntmen Amos Carver and Buck Montgomery and Sandy Fieszel of the Wild West Performing Arts Society attend the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
L-R: Sandy Fieszel, Hunter and Edye Fredette Redar of the Wild West Performing
Arts Society attend the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
L-R: Professional film stuntmen Amos Carver and Buck Montgomery simulate a "face kick" during a performance at the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
An eager audience member "beats up" professional film stuntman Buck
Montgomery during a performance at the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup,
Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
Professional stunt performance at the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup,
Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
L-R: Professional film stuntmen Buck Montgomery and Amos Carver perform at
the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo
courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
L-R: Professional film stuntmen Buck Montgomery and Amos Carver perform at
the 15th annual Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, Utah, Aug. 23, 2013 | Photo
courtesy of Cathy Williams, St. George News
Lana Wood, actress, (The Searchers, Have Gun-Will Travel, Bond Girl Plenty O'Toole, Peyton Place, many more). After the Western Legends Roundup in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
R-L: Lynda Ford, Peter Ford, (son of Glen Ford; actor in Cades County & A Time for Killing, more). After the Western Legends in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Terry, Dan Haggerty's agent; After the Western Legends Roundup in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
L-R: Cheryl Rogers Barnett (daughter of Roy Rogers, Dale Evans); Actor Denny Miller (Wagon Train, Tarzan-The Ape Man, Gilligan's Island, Gorton's Fisherman spokesmodel). After the Western Legends Roundup in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
Lisa McCrea, wife of Producer Wyatt McCrea. After the Western Legends Roundup in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
L-R: Producer Wyatt McCrea (Grandson of Actor Joel McCrea); Actor Darby Hinton (played the son of Daniel Boone; Son of Flubber; Mr. Ed; Wagon Train; and more). After the Western Legends Roundup in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
L-R: Terry, Dan Haggerty's agent; Actor Dan Haggerty (Grizzly Adams); Producer Wyatt McCrea (Grandson of Actor Joel McCrea). After the Western Legends Roundup in Kanab. Washington, Utah, Aug. 25, 2013 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News
St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Tommer is completing her studies at Dixie State University. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in integrated studies with a combined major of mass communication and criminal justice. She has had experience with broadcast journalism since 2011. She started off as a producer for DSU's news show, State of the Storm. While producing, she took up the interest in becoming a reporter. She has worked with Dixie Sun News as multimedia editor as well as a co-anchor for the Dixie Sun News Show. Samantha brings her love for and experience in broadcast journalism as a vital member of the St. George News team.
Great festival. Clint Walker made the best western series Cheyenne. My wife still says he is the best looking man ever created on earth. Makes me jealous.
I’m a little baffled by the complete absence of any photos of Clint Walker. I was going to try and get back there to the Festival in 2013 because of Clint Walker, but I wasn’t able to. I haven’t read anything regarding Mr. Walker being at the Festival, and as I mentioned, haven’t seen any photos at all. I was going to attempt to go to the Festival this year just to see and meet Clint Walker, but I don’t want to go if he isn’t going to be there or isn’t going to make any appearances to his fans.
He was there and I was lucky enough to meet him. What a complete gentleman and gracious man! Not to mention still gorgeous! I went to the Roundup for the first time and especially to meet him and couldn’t stop crying the whole time. Planning on making this an annual trip and he is on the list of celebs for 2014 and can’t wait! Hopefully I can be more composed this time!
Sandy, I have wanted to attend for years now just to see Clint Walker. I would also be crying non-stop if I were there, too!!!! Clint IS still the most handsome man ever!!!!! He is still a HUNK/Hunkalicious!!!! And I have always heard that he is just as nice and genuine as he appears in his films. I hope I can make it next year and that Clint will be there as well.
Great festival. Clint Walker made the best western series Cheyenne. My wife still says he is the best looking man ever created on earth. Makes me jealous.
I’m a little baffled by the complete absence of any photos of Clint Walker. I was going to try and get back there to the Festival in 2013 because of Clint Walker, but I wasn’t able to. I haven’t read anything regarding Mr. Walker being at the Festival, and as I mentioned, haven’t seen any photos at all. I was going to attempt to go to the Festival this year just to see and meet Clint Walker, but I don’t want to go if he isn’t going to be there or isn’t going to make any appearances to his fans.
He was there and I was lucky enough to meet him. What a complete gentleman and gracious man! Not to mention still gorgeous! I went to the Roundup for the first time and especially to meet him and couldn’t stop crying the whole time. Planning on making this an annual trip and he is on the list of celebs for 2014 and can’t wait! Hopefully I can be more composed this time!
Sandy, I have wanted to attend for years now just to see Clint Walker. I would also be crying non-stop if I were there, too!!!! Clint IS still the most handsome man ever!!!!! He is still a HUNK/Hunkalicious!!!! And I have always heard that he is just as nice and genuine as he appears in his films. I hope I can make it next year and that Clint will be there as well.