Record crowds expected at BWWD V

(BOERNE, Texas)  Attendance at the Fifth Annual Boerne Wild West Day will exceed 5,000, according to the event's sponsor, the Rotary Club of Boerne. The day-long festival features gunslingers, pioneer reenactments, stagecoach rides, hayrides, a kiddie corral, a petting zoo, live music and more. Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne will host the event on October 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Attendance has increased every year," said Mark Figart, one of the Boerne Wild West Day organizers. "This year we are inviting 16,000 elementary school students who participate in the EarlyAct FirstKnight character enrichment program, which has not been done before. The buzz has been phenomenal, so we expect a record crowd."

First held in 2005 and created to benefit numerous Rotary charitable service projects, Boerne Wild West Day continues to enrich lives and has received acclaim from tourism professionals and attendees as one of the Texas Hill Country's most compelling and entertaining cultural celebrations. Exhibitions and events this year will include:

  • Shooting and roping competitions
  • Hayrides, stage coaches and buffalo soldiers
  • Music and dancing
  • Kids activities such as a newly constructed kiddie corral, clowns and an animal park
  • Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament ($5,000 in cash prizes)
  • Knights of the Guild character exhibition featuring authentic war horses.
  • EarlyAct FirstKnight Convention (details below)

Tickets to Boerne Wild West Day are $10 for adults and $6 for children under the age of 13. Ages 3 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at participating merchants and online at http://www.boernewildwestday.com.

Enchanted Springs Ranch is located at 242 Hwy 46 West in Boerne, just three miles west of Interstate 10. Parking for Boerne Wild West Day is free, and valet parking will be provided by the Boy Scouts for a small fee.

Sponsorship and vendor opportunities still available

Businesses and organizations can partner with this year's Boerne Wild West Day through one of four sponsorship opportunities. Cash sponsorships are fully tax-deductible, and in-kind sponsorships may be considered. Valero Corporation has been the event's largest and longest sponsor.  

Levels and benefits include:

  • Platinum ($5,000): 500 free tickets and an event booth
  • Gold ($3,000): 300 free tickets and an event booth
  • Silver ($1,500): 150 free tickets and an event booth
  • Bronze ($500): 25 free tickets

Vendor booths can be reserved for $200 and include two gate passes. Opportunities and space are limited, however, so interested parties should contact Kathy Hubbard (hubb@gvtc.com) or Suzan Anderson (marcom1@gvtc.com).

EarlyAct FirstKnight Convention

Coinciding with this year's Boerne Wild West Day will be the First Annual EarlyAct FirstKnight (EAFK) Convention for 10 school districts (16,000 students) across Texas and Oklahoma. Hundreds of children from ages five to thirteen will convene at Enchanted Springs Ranch to enjoy the Boerne Wild West Day festivities and celebrate the year's tremendous achievements as one of Rotary International's newest and most successful youth outreach programs. Numerous contests and awards will be celebrated.

EAFK is a combined character- and service-education program teaching K-8 schoolchildren the Rotarian tradition of "Service Above Self." EAFK, sponsored by individual Rotary clubs worldwide, teaches and prepares schoolchildren to become responsible citizens through service, classroom discussion and the creative display of gallantry, chivalry and noble character represented by knights of medieval times.

Details about Boerne Wild West Day, including a full schedule of exhibitions and attractions, directions to Enchanted Spring Ranch and photos/videos of the festival can be found at http://www.boernewildwestday.com. More information about Enchanted Springs Ranch is available at http://www.enchantedspringsranch.com. More information about EAFK is available at http://www.eafk.org. 

 

News Type: 
Press Release