Brickman Blog

Kids, Cowboys and a Hatful of Fun!

 
Here's a winning combination -- kids, cowboys, a variety of interactive demonstrations, and great fun -- in an upcoming event ... if you can come out to the beautiful Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club to enjoy it this coming Friday!

MONTEREY COWBOY POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL TO HOST SPECIAL EVENT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AT CARMEL VALLEY TRAIL AND SADDLE CLUB ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

In advance of the 12th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival and Western Art & Gear Show (www.montereycowboy.org) to be held from Friday through Sunday, December 10, 11 and 12, 2010, there will again be a very special "Cowboys in the Schools" event for hundreds of school children from Colton Middle School, King Middle School and Tularcitos Elementary School on Friday, September 17th, at the Carmel Valley Trail and Saddle Club in Carmel Valley from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Up to 100 members of the public are invited to observe the special demonstrations (allowing the children from the schools the closest access), if they RSVP in advance to Wendy Brickman at Brickman@brickmanmarketing.com or call (831) 633-4444.

Providing an outstanding way to learn the cowboy way of life, the young Cowboys and Cowgirls will be able to learn from live interactive demonstrations of rotational activities that include cattle sorting, roping, hat shaping, horse shoeing, grooming, singing, carriage driving and leather tooling. There will be local ranchers, working cowboys and cowgirls, and Rodeo stars working with the students. In addition, there will be special guest artists, Ernie Sites and Juan Sanchez, who will be working with the students in the school programs all week prior to Friday.

According to Carol Lenters, the event's organizer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, "This annual event brings history alive for the fourth grade students as they take part in the experiences of ranch life that previously they have only seen in the textbooks."

The very special 12th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival and Christmas Art & Gear Show (www.montereycowboy.org) will be held from Friday through Sunday, December 10, 11 and 12, 2010. The festival will be held at the Monterey Conference Center located at One Portola Plaza in downtown Monterey, CA. This popular annual event for all ages celebrates Monterey's contribution to our western heritage with cowboy poetry, song and a first class Christmas Western Art and Gear show. The festival brings together people from all over the United States to enjoy and learn more about the "cowboy way of life," including its history, current values and culture. This year's exciting entertainer line-up includes Ian Tyson, Randy Rieman, Dave Stamey, Diane Tribitt, Juni Fisher, Wylie & The Wild West, R.W. Hampton, Andrew Hardin, Joni Harms and many others.

The festival has many shows scheduled over the three days plus Jam Sessions on Friday and Saturday nights, a Christmas Art & Gear Show, Silent Auction and its special Sunday morning Cowboy Church, which benefits The Salvation Army and features many of the top performers of the weekend.

The Art & Gear Show features over two dozen artisans that offer an array of interesting items for Christmas gifts and collectors, including outstanding Western art, photography and books, clothing, (hats, jewelry, handmade boots, belts, purses, jackets, etc.), custom and antique saddles, Navajo blankets and jackets and much more.

The Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival also coordinates the popular Cowboys in the Schools Program. During the school year volunteers work with local educators to introduce the concept of Cowboy Culture and the influence of the vaquero to a diverse group of elementary school students. This "Cowboy Way of Life" program helps to teach youth self-esteem, ethics, values, writing, art and history. Young people also participate in the "Open Mic" event during the festival weekend

For more information, to become a sponsor, a volunteer, visit the website at www.montereycowboy.org or call 1-800-722-9652.

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Circus Imagination at the Monterey County Fair!

This is the final day of the Monterey County Fair and it's kind of sad for me...as it's been a wonderful week. The Monterey County Fair is really a feast for the senses at the Fair...the great music, the flavors of the delicious Fair food (not every day thankfully!), the colors of the Carnival rides, the adorable animals in the livestock area and in the pony rides and rodeo, the thought-provoking exhibits, the gorgeous art, flowers, quilts, wool, and the overall fun that young and old have at the Fair. There are so many great participants at the Fair and I'd love to write about each and everyone of them! Anyhow, the "circus" will be leaving town soon!

One of the many highlights of the Fair for me involved its emphasis on the theme art by Jo Mora and his wonderful children's book, Chippie de Munk: The Great Inventor.

From that theme, we created a Hall of Innovation which displayed lots of wonderful exhibits on solar power, space technology, green building, wind and solar power, electricity, auto stereos, video surveillance, hearing aids, and more!

One of my favorite acts at the Fair this year was Circus Imagination! After watching their great performances, it occurred to me that imagination is the foundation of innovation...and the importance of instilling the fun of imagination in everyone! Hope you'll get to see their performances at a Fair or School near you! Here's a little background...

Circus Imagination (formerly the Traveling Backyard Circus) first appeared on the West Coast in the summer of 1986, touring extensively from Arizona to Washington, Utah to Hawaii. The circus is back this season under the new name, Circus Imagination.

The concept of expanding the imagination of children through learning and playing experience is so invaluable in the formative years while children are learning creative play.

Circus Imagination involves 20 to 25 children per show who actively dress up and join the circus. We maintain that the children who join Circus Imagination are the stars, not just props.

Circus Imagination does not end when the show is over. Parents are delighted to find that their children bring home the inspiration to put on their own circus in their own backyard. Old-fashioned fun rekindles educational play in the minds of children.

Circus Imagination requires no skill or talent and the experience leaves children with a strong sense of imagination, resourcefulness and creativity. Up to 25 children may participate. And here's what others say about it...

"The (Circus Imagination) is one of the most original and creative operations to emerge in the industry since the early beginnings of the business.

"Excellent opportunity for the children to be creative, perform before peers, feel successful. The overall program was outstanding and we are looking forward to working with you again."
John M. Tobey, Dean
Arthur Booth Elementary School
Elmira, New York

Free Festival Fun for Kids of All Ages! Kidfest - August 14 & 15

   


KIDFEST TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 14TH and 15TH, 2010 AT THE MONTEREY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

On Saturday and Sunday, August 14th and 15th, 2010, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Kidfest will return to the Monterey County Fairgrounds (enter at Gate 5). A popular family event for 16 years that attracts over 20,000 people, Kidfest is a FREE two-day event full of education, entertainment, interaction, fun and prizes! This not-to-be-missed “edutainment” event combines education and entertainment while creating a safe and fun atmosphere for children.  This year, Kidfest will feature a variety of NEW fun, safe and exciting activities for kids and their families (ages 4 through adults). There will be expanded and exciting BMX bike demos in the Pattee Arena at the Fairgrounds this year, music, interactive activities, inflatables, and many other great activities and entertainment. For more information, go to www.montereycountyfair.com or call Gordon Warner at (831) 633-3379.

HERE’S THE LATEST DETAILS!

This fun festival features great food, games, prizes, giveaways, arts, crafts, photography, free face painting, a bounce house, giant slides, clowns, a rock wall, a Velcro wall, Eurobungee (Saturday only!), a tug-n-dunk, inflate-a-hoops, tractor bounce, and is FUN for kids of all ages!

There will be thrilling GT BMX Airshow Demonstrations at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM both days. The Seaside Fire Department will do exciting Vehicle Rescue Demonstrations on 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM both days. KDON (Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) and La Preciosa Radio (Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) will be doing fun interactive live broadcasts. There will be great Live Music on the Pattee Arena Stage at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM both days with performers from I-Jams music school, including Malloway, Skeletal Puppies and Operation Rock.

The first 400 kids who come to Kidfest each day will receive a free Kidfest T-shirt. There will also be a giveaway of 100 backpacks filled with school supplies provided by Shoreline Community Church. Also, there will be a BMX Bike Giveaway everyday. Plus, there will be great games to play on Carnival Row. Attendees can enter to win cash prizes (1st prize: $250, 2nd prize). Here’s the schedule:

Saturday, August 14th:

10:00 Opening
11:00 Creative Arts Drama Dance Team
11:20 Cold Stone Ice Cream Eating Contest
11:40 Spanish Program
2:00 Samz School of Rock
2:40 Central Coast Pediatrics
3:20 Rising Star Gymnastics
4:00 American Karate Demonstration
4:20 A & S Challenge
5:00 Close

Sunday, August 15th

10:00 Opening
11:00 Creative Arts Drama Dance Team
11:20 Cold Stone Ice Cream Eating Contest
11:40 Spanish Program
2:00 Samz School of Rock
2:40 Momentum Dance
3:40 Carmel Academy of Performing Arts
4:20 A & S Challenge
5:00 Close

This year, A&S Metals (www.asmetals.com) is again creating, promoting and expanding this very special community event. Founded in 1969, A & S Metals is a 40-year old recycling company with 5 locations in California and 1 in Montana. Their corporate headquarters are situated on a 25-acre facility in Castroville. According to Gordon Warner of A & S Metals, “As a longtime sponsor of Kidfest, we are very proud to present this important free annual event again this year that all of our families can enjoy at the beautiful Monterey County Fairgrounds!”

For more information, please call Gordon Warner at (831) 633-3379.