Friends and readers of this story, Sometimes in the motion picture and theme park industry new production begins with a “back story”. A back story contains the core story line and inspiration for many of the details needed to help tell the story. That is what we have done here. THE LEGEND OF THE ROCKIN’ R This is a story of a famous Country (and Western) Band, who, in the course of following a dream, created a legendary place. This band is loved by legions of fans throughout the world but they are most appreciated in the beautifully restored theatres along the Main Streets of America. Their music touches hearts of audiences and takes their minds off the concerns of the day. Even though they have many hallmarks of Country Music superstardom their deeper passion is in the songs that tell the stories of the great American West…especially those of the singing cowboys of the movies. To celebrate this love of the West each year they gather fellow Western and Country performers and great Western painters and sculptors to put on some the best festivals America has ever known! Sometimes as many as 30,000 people come to these “HOOP DE DOOS” in a single weekend …many say it is the most fun they have all year! The band, when traveling, also collects vintage Cowboy /Cowgirl items. After each trip they carry back to the “ranch headquarters” all kinds of terrific things from the 40’s 50’s and 60’s. Word of this hobby spread and fans sent even more until a special barn at the ROCKIN’ R RANCH (the band’s headquarters) was assigned to hold it all! Someone even gave them a beautiful old authentic chuck wagon! One day the band sparked a series of exciting ideas… “It’s a shame to have all these western treasures and no one to share it with. Let’s display all this so people across the land can enjoy reliving these memories of the West? Parents and grandparents could share the days of the Saturday afternoon matinees with the youngsters! To make it really fun we could roll out the chuck wagon in the evening and play “sing along” cowboy music and tell some side splittin’ funny stories around a campfire! The whole place becomes a tribute to this great part of America’s heritage. Instead of closing down after two or three days like the HOOP DE DO we keep the fun going for a whole season!” The idea-spark ignited into a blazing flame! They drew on years of experience in theatres and added ideas from their artist friends to stage a classic Western setting with the chuck wagon / camp fire, lanterns, cactus, fences and saddles. Soon they started inviting people over for a look. Word spread like wildfire about the great fun and music happening at the ROCKIN’R RANCH and -sure enough- people came from far and near to join in! A neighbor began serving the people delicious Bar-B Que dinners from his restaurant on authentic plates and that rounded out the evening just right! That was years ago and now thousands of guests visit the ROCKIN’R to laugh, learn and play together each year. Now, in addition to the Chuck wagon and MUSUEM there is the MUSIC SHOP, GALLERY the HAPPY TRAILS THEATRE. The band feels heart felt gratitude to everyone for making their dream a reality. Their guests feel a part of an expanding circle of friends, music fans and art collectors. to pay a special tribute to two beloved Cowboy and Cowgirl icons the band burned these words of a song into the ranch gate to say farewell to guests. Many believe it is the greatest Western farewell song ever written. And this is how we will end this little story. “HAPPY TRAILS to you…. until we meet again”! Artists and writers, show producers often follow inspiration first and hammer out the details, problems and business later. Trivia questions: Who are the Cowboy and Cowgirl icons? What is the name of the real festival instead of the HOOP DE DO? What is the name of the real band? Where is the ROCKIN' R "home ranch"? If this place sounds fun to you let us know...also feel free to share any ideas you might have to make a place like this more fun, interactive and enjoyable. Your ideas may help shape a place like this! Hey, this would be your place to visit! Thanks, Gary