JULY 2, 2009 ISSUE
Horn in the West Opening Weekend Revenues Up
Randell Jones, author of In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone, was onsite at Horn in the West’s opening weekend. This year marks the 275th birthday of Daniel Boone, and Jones’ book offers a detailed exploration of the notable pioneer’s life and travels. It is the recipient of the 2006 Willie Parker Peace History Award. Jones will lead a symposium on Daniel Boone on September 4 as part of the 2nd annual Daniel Boone Days, Boone’s annual festival. Photo by Ken Ketchie
“Opening weekend was a success in one way but not in another,” said Virginia Roseman, Horn in the West’s director of public relations. “We’re very happy to report that revenues did go up, [but] attendance went down a little.”
The revenues went up even though attendance slipped because most of the audience was not from Watauga County. Watauga County citizens receive discounts on opening and closing weekends. Wataugans can book discounted $6 tickets now for the August 13, 14 and 15 closing weekend shows. Residents of counties touching Watauga County can purchase $8 tickets for these shows.
Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) asked opening night how many people in the audience were not from the High Country, and more than 90 percent of the audience raised their hands.
Horn in the West opened for the season on Friday, June 19.
“The Wataugans didn’t really show up like we’d hoped,” Roseman said, adding that she anticipates sell-outs for closing weekend because they did not attend opening weekend performances.
Audiences gave both the first and second shows standing ovations, and Roseman has only heard positive feedback, which she attributes to the revised, powerful script and the hard work of the cast.
“One couple attending for their 31st straight year reported [this] being one of the best performances they’ve seen,” Roseman said. “A man who has attended the past nine consecutive years said he can’t wait to tell people [to go] and [he is] going to be proud to send someone here to see the show.”
The man added that there is more life on the stage than he had ever seen before, she said.
Opening weekend speakers included local dignitaries Mayor Loretta Clawson, Boone Town Council member Rennie Brantz, Boone Town Council Mayor Pro-tem Lynne Mason, County Commissioner and Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA) Vice Chair Billy Ralph Winkler and SAHA Chair Nancy Spann.
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) flew in from Washington, D.C., to attend Horn in the West’s opening day performance. She is pictured with Virginia Roseman, Horn in the West’s director of public relations. Photo by Ken Ketchie
Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-5) flew in from Washington, D.C. at the last second to attend Horn in the West, Roseman said.
Of the national outdoor dramas that have reported statistics, Horn in the West has been the fastest growing outdoor drama for two years in a row. Horn in the West grew 14 percent last year, and so far this year, SAHA reports an 8.1 increase in Horn in the West and Hickory Ridge Homestead attendance compared to last year.
Next year, Horn in the West will not receive all of the funding it has been given in years past; some is being taken out for the widening of Highway 421, Roseman said. Because of this, she hopes Wataugans will make up the difference by showing their support of Horn in the West with attendance.
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