The Wild West is coming to McKinney on October 11-13 when cowboy celebrities and entertainers arrive at the Spirit of the Cowboy Festival at Chestnut Square Historic Village. 

"I go to cowboy festivals all over the country and I've always wondered why we don't have one right here in McKinney."  Said Donna Wilmeth, festival organizer.  "So I just decided to get on with it and hold one.  It's a great opporunity for the people of McKinney to meet their cowboy heroes." 

Twelve celebrities from the great TV and movie westerns of the 1950's, 60's and 70's have signed on to attend the event. 

Burton Gilliam of Blazing Saddles

The following celebrities will be available for pictures, autographs, and Question and Answer sessions:

Robert Fuller of Laramie, Wagon Train and Emergency

Alex Cord of Laramie, Airwolf and Branded

Paul Petersen of Donna Reed Show, Custer,  and F-Troop

Burton Gilliam of Blazing Saddles

James Hampton of F-Troop, Teen Wolf, and Teen Wolf 2

Ken Farmer of Silverado, and Friday Night Lights

Charlie LeSueur, actor, emcee and authority on B Westerns

James Drury, The Virginian himself!

Robert Clark, The Virginian

Gary Clarke, The Virginian

Don Quine, The Virginian

Anne Lockhart, Death Valley Days and various other guest appearances. 

The grounds of Chestnut Square Historic Village and the green space north of Chestnut Square, just two short blocks south of downtown McKinney, will be transformed into a variety of cowboy activities including:

• Rides in an authentic restored Butterfield stage coach
• Cowboy meals from the chuck wagon circle up
• A stick horse rodeo for junior cowboys
• Question and Answer sessions with the celebrities in the Chapel at Chestnut Square
• Meet and Greets and book signings with the celebrities at the Bevel Reception House at Chestnut Square.
• Performances by western artists and the Oklahoma Balladeer, Mr. Les Gilliam on the main stage.
• Roping Demonstrations
• Pony rides, bull rides, petting zoo, and a real Texas Longhorn
• Mock gun fights by Texas Gunfighters
• Blacksmithing demonstrations at the Chestnut Square forge
  Dutch oven cooking demonstrations at the Faires House Chestnut Square
• KHYI 95.3, The Range, Live Broadcast

Visitors will enjoy the shaded grounds and  the historic buildings of Chestnut Square as a backdrop to the western fun.   Historic Downtown McKinney merchants will add to the fun with authentic Texas and cowboy items. 

"We jumped at the opportunity to host the Spirit of the Cowboy Festival."  Said Cindy Johnson, Chestnut Square Executive Director.  "Our mission is to preserve and perpetuate the heritage of Collin County and cowboys are definitely part of our heritage.  The cattle drives of the 1860's through 1890's went right by McKinney." 

After hosting a VIP fundraiser dinner to honor the many volunteers involved in the event on the grounds of Chestnut Square on Friday night, the gates open for the event on Saturday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m.  Festivities continue on Sunday morning with a Cowboy Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. followed by "Cowboy Church" at 10:00 a.m.  The festival activities begin again on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

Saturday night is "Dinner with the Stars" at The Pantry Restaurant  in downtown McKinney beginning with a meet and mingle at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m.  Ticket sales to the Dinner with the Stars event are limited.  All tickets are avalable online at the Spirit of the Cowboy website. 

"Ticket sales  are already up 50% over last year."  Said Johnson.  "We've sold tickets to people from Japan, the UK and over 15 states."  

The Spirit of the Cowboy Facebook page has generated interest around the globe. 

"All the cowboy folks are out there posting every day about the event."  Said Wilmeth.  "There's a lot of people who are excited about coming to Texas and seeing their favorite cowboys." 

Prices for the Spirit of the Cowboy tickets are: 

In Advance

Adult One Day/Two Day:                       $15.00/$25.00

Child One Day/Two Day:                       $ 8.00/$15.00

Children Three and Under:                     FREE

At the Gate

Adult One Day/Two Day:                        $18.00/$30.00

Child One Day/Two Day:                        $10.00/$18.00

Children Three and Under:                     FREE

Stick Horse Rodeo

Entry Fee (includes Stick Horse)              $10.00

Dinner with the Stars at The Pantry

Advance                                               $40.00

Saturday (if available)                           $50.00   

VIP Fundraising Dinner Honoring Our Wonderful Volunteers

Open Seating                                       $100.00           

 For more information about the Spirit of the Cowboy at Chestnut Square Historic Village: www.SpiritOfTheCowboy.net