Members of the VHA are gearing up for their third annual Country and Western Hoedown.
The event, which features everything from a gunfighter show to a cowboy stew cook-off to demonstrations and exhibits to live music, will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Villages Polo Field. Proceeds from the event will benefit the VHA Community Foundation, Helping Hands and The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation.
The day will offer plenty of activities for everyone attending. One of the biggest highlights promises to be an hour-long performance by national recording country artist Crystal Gage, of Windsor, Ontario. Gage, who has opened for artists such as Big & Rich, Emerson Drive and Gretchen Wilson, has won several singing contests, including one hosted by Reba McEntire. She gained national recognition when she won Country Music Television’s Karaoke Star and took home the $10,000 grand prize.
Gage was a popular draw at last year’s Hoedown event and promises to be a crowd favorite again this year. The songstress will appear on the main stage from 10:50-11:50 a.m.
Demonstrations throughout the day will include a Wild West Gunslingers Show, Quick Draw Cowboys, the Hometown Cloggers, The Villages Golf Cart Drill Team, a Paquette antique tractor/wagon and a roaming magic show.
Participants also will enjoy a Mounted Horse Drill Team performance, chain saw carvings, a Villages Grown display, a Voyage Driverless Car display and a handcrafted quilt display and raffle.
A Kids Zone will feature a rock climbing wall, bounce houses, storytelling, a bean bag toss, face-painting clowns, an animal petting zone and wooden toys.
Plenty of retail vendors also will be on hand, including Yeti, Urban Poncho, Licorice Man, Sunshine Western Hats, Victoria Javor Jewelry and My Nona’s Garden.
The day also will include the music of 14-year-old Macey Mac of Ocala and Pastor Chris Atkins, as well as P.T. Mortimer’s old-fashioned Medicine & Magic Show.
Participants also can purchase a $3 wristband and sample various cowboy stews put together by teams trying to win a big trophy. And they will have the chance to cast votes in the Best Booth Competition and even participate in a Country Western Costume Contest, where one male and one female from among the attendees will win prizes.
Tickets for the Hoedown are $25 for VIP stadium seating and $10 for children 13 and older (12 and under get in free). And cow chip bingo tickets are available for $10.
Tickets can be purchased at countrywesternhoedown.com and all Villages Box Offices. No credit cards will be accepted at the Hoedown, as it is a cash-only event. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs. No walkers, bicycles or pets will be allowed. Parking is free. And food, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available through on-site vendors.
