Something new in the old town

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

The first Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival sponsored by the Town of Genoa and the Carson Valley Arts Council wrapped up on Sunday.

"I heard nothing but great comments," said Theresa Chipp, executive director of the Carson Valley Arts Council. "There will be a next year."

The final numbers weren't in by Monday, but Chipp said the four-day cowboy poetry and music festival did well for a first-year event.

"I know we didn't lose, but we're still evaluating," she said. "It helped having so many people involved."

Chipp said there were more than 500 tickets sold for the Waddie Mitchell/Don Edwards show Friday night on the Mormon Station Main Stage tent, and that Saturday's show with Lacy J. Dalton and David John and the Comstock Cowboys was sold out with 610 tickets sold.

"We sold over 4,000 event tickets total," she said. Our target was 3,000 to 6,000, so I think we met our goal. We'll try for the high end next year.

"It was so nice to see people with smiles on their faces. They seemed to be happy enough, and if one brings back one person next year, we'll meet the goal."

Chipp said they are going to do surveys with the performers, presenters and the ticket holders to get input on what they would like to see next year.

"I heard from some of the performers who said they wanted to help the event grow," she said. "Waddie Mitchell said he hoped it will be around in 10 years from now.

"The cowboy dinners were popular, and people liked that they didn't have to walk very far. One thing we're hoping to grow for next year is children's events. In the first year you can't think of everything.

"I really hope the poetry festival will help the economic vitality of Carson Valley," Chipp said. "That was the goal. It puts emphasis on our cultural heritage - gets us back in touch with it."