Friday's artist reception marks sixth return of western art show

For the sixth consecutive year, downtown Ritzville is going to be filled with excitement when it hosts the annual Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show during the Memorial Day weekend.

The show is welcoming more than 50 artists with different specialties that plan to entertain and show off their artistic masterpieces during the three day event, which runs from May 25-27.

Area residents are reminded that all of Main Avenue between Division and Adams Streets is going to be closed to vehicle traffic for the duration of the show.

The Artists’ Reception on Friday runs from 6-9 p.m. and serves as the kick-off event for the Memorial Day weekend festivities. The Artists’ Reception is held at the C. J. Newland American Legion Memorial Hall and entrance into the event costs $10.

The event is going to be catered by John Rankin, and the dinner includes barbequed beef and pork, baked beans, coleslaw and cookies. Nevada Slim & Cimarron Sue are providing live entertainment at the event.

Alongside the entertainment and delicious food, artists are displaying their best artwork and also creating art live. A unique piece of art is going to be auctioned at the reception this year.

All of the artists participating in the weekend event have been asked to bring an original miniature piece of art that is going to be combined into a large collage of artwork.

For all of the morning people, the Eagles are hosting an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 8-11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Art show hours on Saturday are from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday hours are from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, a select group of artists are participating in the quick draw demonstrations, where they have one hour to create a masterpiece.

After the completion of the quick draw artwork, the pieces are auctioned off at 3:15 p.m. the same day.

Artists that are participating in the quick draw event are Jim Lisk, Melissa Fuller, Marivi Lavides, Pat Cooper, Jerre NightHawk Raven, Betty Billups, Tina Reeve Tharp, Ron Adamson, Rick Urdahl, Rowdy Barry, Joel Olson and Jerri Shrader.

There are new events scheduled to fill the street during the weekend. Perhaps the most exciting, as well as edible, is the Dutch Oven Cook-off competition that begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

The cook-off is stationed on Main Avenue, on the east side of the stage on Washington Street. There are four teams registered in the event who are making three different foods: a main dish, bread and a dessert. The presentation for the dessert is at 1 p.m., the breads are at 1:30 p.m., and the main dish is at 2 p.m.

There are two new events that have been scheduled for the youth that are attending the festivities. On the west side of the stage in front of Columbia Bank, children can participate in Stick Pony Races on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Ritzville Rodeo Association sponsors the event.

Children can also venture down to the east side of Main Avenue toward Division Street where they can find pony rides. It costs $1 per ride and the pony rides are available during art show hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Returning entertainment for the event is the “Legends of the West” gunfights, which are taking place 10:30 a.m. and noon on Saturday. The Sunday demonstrations are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., all of which take place in front of Columbia Bank.

From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Toni Plastino is hosting a Youth Art Experience program that allows children time for hands-on craft projects. Plastino is located on Main Avenue near the chamber office, where printmaking and marbling are available for all ages.

Plastino opens the youth art booth on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For those individuals who are looking for live entertainment and musical accompaniment, the Panhandle Polecats perform on the main stage at 11-11:45 a.m. on Saturday. At 12:30-1:15 p.m., the Coyote Ridge Bluegrass Wranglers take the stage, followed by Nevada Slim & Cimarron Sue at 1:30-2:30 p.m. Rounding out the day of entertainment is Eli Barsi, who has the stage from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Coyote Ridge Bluegrass has the stage at 11:15 a.m. until noon, followed by the Panhandle Polecats at 12:30-1:15 p.m. Nevada Slim & Cimarron Sue are on stage from 1:45-2:45 p.m. and Eli Barsi concludes the entertainment at 3:15 p.m.

At Sunny Spot Floral & Gifts, visitors are welcome to participate in the Make and Take Jewelry with Leslie from 10:30 a.m. until noon, and 1:30-3 p.m. on Saturday. The workshop begins again at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and runs until 1 p.m.

Another event that is sure to gain a large crowd is the authentic recreation of the gunfight at OK Corral on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. and another show that begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday morning also marks the time for individuals to attend Cowboy Church at 8 in the entertainment tent.

The presentation of the Best of Show awards takes place at 9 a.m. at the Eagles Lodge on Sunday.

But the main Sunday event is the Ritzville Classic Car Show around the Ritzville City Park that runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and features a diverse group of classic vehicles.

Monday serves as a time for families to relax and enjoy the complimentary Firemen’s Breakfast at the fire station on First Avenue from 7-11 a.m. After the breakfast, a memorial service begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery.

The Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show continues to be a free show to the public and those participating in the show. The Ritzville Downtown Development Association (RDDA) sponsors the show.

Find galleries of photos from previous shows and specific artist information at http://www.ritzvillewesternart.com.

More information is available by contacting the RDDA at [email protected] or art show committee at [email protected].