Festival of the American West

American West, Festival of the

July-August

This eight-day festival was started in 1972 by Glen L. Taggart, president of Utah State University in Logan, and takes place from late July to early August. Designed to educate people about America's pioneer and Indian cultures at the close of the 19th century, the festival includes a multimedia historical pageant; a cowboy poetry gathering; an exhibit of Western art, photographs, and engravings; a display of vintage steam tractors; an Old West parade of antique horse-drawn wagons; and demonstrations of pioneer cooking. Various celebrities—including actors Robert Redford, Peter Strauss, and James Drury—have participated in past festivals, and Jimmy Stewart did the taped narration that still accompanies festival events.
Proceeds from the yearly festival have been used to establish a center for the Outlaw-Lawman History Association at Utah State University, a Western Writers' Conference, and two Western magazines. The events are held on the USU campus and in surrounding areas.

CONTACTS:
American West Heritage Center
4025 S. Hwy. 89-91
Wellsville, UT 84339
800-225-3378 or 435-245-6050; fax: 435-245-6052

SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1984, p. 189