Wild West heroes, re-enactors, demonstrators highlight Pioneer days
Published 11:00 pm Thursday, October 11, 2012
A Wild West Show and a visit with Davy Crockett are two of the highlights of Pioneer Days at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama today and Saturday.
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The Wild West Show at Pioneer Days is an action-packed, nail-biting performance by Bruce Brennen and his wife Vernelle. Pioneer Days is set from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and Saturday. Admission is $6 and children five and under are admitted free.
Kari Barley, museum director, said the Wild West Show and Davy Crockett are back at Pioneer Days by popular demand.
The Wild West Show is an action-packed, nail-biting performance by Bruce Brennen and his wife Vernelle.
“Bruce and Vernelle are ‘for real’ characters from the days of the Wild, Wild West,” Barley said. “Bruce does absolutely amazing rope and whip tricks and recites poems about the cowboys and Indians and the Old West. They perform tricks that will have you holding your breath. Bruce will “whip” a rose out of Vernelle’s hand and even pull out his gun for a trick or two.”
The Wild West Show will be at 10 and 11 a.m. today, which is student day at Pioneer Days and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, which is open to the public.
“Davy Crockett is portrayed by Al Bouler, who is the schoolmaster at Old Alabama Town in Montgomery,” Barley said. “He is a favorite of everyone, especially the children. He’ll have a tent set up much like in the days of Davy Crockett and will tell stories about the adventures of Davy Crockett and the history behind the coonskin cap.”
“Crockett” will be around his tent from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and Saturday and he’ll be spinning his tales and yarns for all to hear.
Barley said there will be several re-enactors at Pioneer Days including, Ethan Gallo, who is a Spanish infantryman. Several Civil War re-enactors will have a campsite set up along with a field hospital. Ann Dalton, an 1800s re-enactor, will share stories of those who lived in this area during that period of time.
Pioneer Days will also have flint napping, bucket making, chair caning, cedar shingle hewing, basket weaving, corn shuck doll making, blacksmithing, wood stove cooking, butter churning, wooden sign making and demonstrations of a variety of pioneer skills.
“Don Renfroe will be here on Saturday to give wagon rides,” Barley said. “The Benton Brothers and SheBANG! will provide our entertainment on Saturday.
“Jeff Danner of Walnut Creek Produce will have boiled peanuts and a fresh vegetable stand and Milky Moos will have special treats.”
Pioneer Days is set from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and Saturday.
Admission is $6 and children five and under are admitted free.