Doc at a Cowboy Festival

My wife and I drove the wagon over to the Sixth Annual Cowboy Festival & Symposium at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, GA one wet night this past week. I was mighty glad the wagon top didn’t blow off on our way in to town, the way it did last year. The folks at the festival were right friendly, despite the occasional gunfight. A whole troupe reenacted the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, but nobody got hurt this time. I played some music on the jinglewhapper, and luckily didn’t get hurt, either.

I came out of the event lighter in bottles but heavier in trade goods – I got myself a hat, a coat, and four bottles of home-made barbeque sauce. The Missus enjoyed some good Dutch oven peach cobbler, bean stew and biscuits, and attended “Cowboy Church” outdoors on Sunday morning, preached by a genuine rancher (the only sermon she’d ever heard where cow poop figured prominently). Indians were present and dressed better than anybody. “Hopalong Cassidy”(aka Joe Sullivan) showed up late on Sunday afternoon, with a few things to say about my famous Skull of Cleopatra, but that’s another story for another day.

Gold Rush Days - Part 2

Doc and the Mrs. had a good time at this year's Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, Georgia. Mrs. Doc picked up some bargains in pickled green beans and chow-chow from the farmers' market. Doc had himself four porkchop biscuits. Mrs. Doc had lemonade made by the Boy Scouts. Doc found a picture of an old Indian chief he once knew and soon it will hang someplace in the house where it won't scare small children. The buck dance contestants ranged in age from 8 to 80, or thereabouts, and Sadie Bafile (pictured above left) won by popular acclaim. The hog-callers were numerous and as enthusiastic as the woman in the photo at right. The wheelbarrow race proved once again that sometimes just one wheel is all you need. Phil and David from Georgia Traveller (GPB-TV) stopped by and entered the cross-cut sawing contest but their time (1 minute, 40 seconds) was beaten by a couple fellers who did it in 43 seconds flat.

The arm-wrestling contest was intense as usual. Doc had to remind everyone that there is "No spitting, smoke-blowing, or distracting your opponent by yelling things like 'I've got a loaded gun in my other hand!'"

Doc wishes to thank the Dahlonega Jaycees for all their hard work putting on this mighty fine festival! Doc will be back next year, if the sheriff will let him inside the town limits.

Doc at Gold Rush Days!

Come enjoy Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, Georgia October 18 - 19, 2008, where Doc will be emceeing a parade and other events! Enter the hog-calling contest (like the woman at left), or the liar's contest if you're good at tall tales! Winners decided by audience applause! Watch young cloggers compete, try your hand at gold panning or cross-cut sawing, or just walk around and enjoy the crafts and food booths. Say "hey!" to Doc - he'll be at the main stage in front of the Visitors' Center! Be sure to get there early, though - parking spaces fill up fast and the later you arrive, the further you have to walk from your buggy!

Doc's Absence

Doc was unable to host the Mountain Music & Medicine Show yesterday due to urgent government business. It seems his presence was requested by the county sheriff regarding official matters. As a conscientious citizen who deeply respects the law and its representatives, Doc could not refuse to attend this meeting of the highest county authorities, including not only the sheriff, but a judge and several legal representatives of the county and state. Luckily the Buzzard Mountain Boys were able to step in and host the show during his absence. Doc expects to be present at the annual Goldrush Days in Dahlonega (October 18 - 19, 2008).

p.s. Concerned citizens may query "Doc" or "Mrs. Doc" at docshows (-at-) gmail.com or docshows (-at-) hotmail.com.