Cowboy poetry and more coming to Alzada

The 30th Annual Alzada Cowboy Poetry, Music and Art Show will be held on Sunday, October 6 at the Alzada Community Hall in Alzada, Montana. It will be a double celebration as the Alzada Community Hall is 90 years old, having been built in 1929.

Because of extra time for recalling the history of the hall and the beginning of the annual event, this year’s show will not have featured performers or artists but rather will recognize all those who have helped over the many years. They also appreciate the continued support of the audience.

Organizers of the show are excited each year to see the new art and new and former performances. The building opens at 10 a.m. for viewing of the artwork. The free program of poetry and music begins at 1 p.m. and traditionally continues until about 5 p.m.

The Alzada Community Club along with help from many community members will serve lunch all day with the proceeds used for yearly expenses and maintenance. Door prizes will be given.

When the Alzada Community Club organized the first show in 1989 to celebrate the Montana Centennial, they never envisioned that it would still be happening 30 years later. The first show was to provide funds to rewire the old hall.

Over the years, the show has helped facilitate the building of a smaller meeting room and kitchen and refurbish that building several years ago. Siding and new windows have been added to the hall along with a new heating system.

The community building is used for many things including the annual show, school and youth activities, anniversary parties, baby and wedding showers, elections and funerals. In the past it was also a popular spot for dances during the year and especially after the annual rodeo.

Many recall when the heating system was a big wood fired stove in the corner and that the hall was used for youth and men’s basketball. Likely the community builders of the building never dreamed that it would still be so valuable 90 years later.

An additional bonus of the show is many friendships that have been formed in a four-state area among the performers, artists, audience and the Alzada community members. It has been likened to a huge family reunion since traditionally about 200 people attend each year.

Children have grown up attending the event and now bring their own children to enjoy the show. Senior citizens especially enjoy sharing the day each year.

Anyone interested in performing or showing artwork is asked to contact Gay Arpan, (406) 828-4517, email [email protected] or Chris Maupin, 467-5260, email [email protected]. Likewise, they would love to hear from people who have memories of the hall.

Each poet, musician or musical group may do two selections. Artwork may include paintings in any medium, photographs, leatherwork, sculptures, needlework, quilts, woodwork or other art projects. Each artist may bring three items to display and they would like the artwork to be there by noon on Saturday and be ready to hang.