15th annual Western Legends Roundup brings out stars of yesteryear; STGnews Videocast and Photo Gallery

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. 

St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

he 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
he 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

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4 Comments

  • Fred August 25, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    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.

  • Jamie February 20, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    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.

    • Sandy July 12, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      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!

      • ValerieT8 August 26, 2014 at 7:06 pm

        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.

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