February 17, 2016
Winter Range 2016 Silver Jubilee
The largest Western style encampment in the world will return to Phoenix on February 22 and continue until February 27 attracting participants from around the world. Winter Range will celebrate its Silver Jubilee match and draw over 1000 competitors from most of the 50 states and as many as 15 foreign countries. These competitors, both male and female ranging in age from 12 to over 80 years, will compete in over 35 categories dictated by age and competitive style.
Cowboy Action Shooting™, one of the fastest growing shooting sports in America, requires that contestants compete with firearms typical of those used in the taming of the Old West: single action revolvers, lever action rifles and period shotguns. Participants must also adopt a shooting alias appropriate to a character or profession of the late 19th century, a Hollywood western star or an appropriate character from fiction and then costume themselves accordingly. This is a sport that is safe, fun and family friendly where lasting friendships are made and multiple generations of the same family compete in their respective categories.
In addition to the competitive events, Winter Range 2016 will feature displays of period militaria, exhibitions of western skills and crafts, a fast draw competition and nearly 100 vendors purveying everything from period clothing, hats and wigs to antiques and reproductions. Entertainment will be readily available in the form of a number of roaming balladeers, trick roping, trick horses and various other forms of cowboy entertainment.
To begin each wave of competition on Thursday, February 25, a fly-by of vintage military aircraft will take place at 7:55 a.m., 10:55 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. Winter Range Board members Blackjack Zak and Lt. Col. Scratch, both veteran military pilots, will be leading two of the flights.
Also this year on Saturday, February 27 starting at 12:00 p.m., two great storytellers will perform in the Main Tent. Wyatt Earp, the great grand-nephew of his namesake, will be giving a special stage presentation on Doc Holliday reminiscing about his amazing life and times. At 2:30 p.m. Bob Boze Bell, CEO and Executive Editor of True West Magazine and author of nine books on Old West characters will regale the audience with stories of the Old West.
This year the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association will hold an exciting two-day mounted shooting event expected to draw over 100 competitors mounted on horses participating in their own arena on February 27 and 28.
A variety of food services are also available from authentic chuck wagon cooking to hot dogs, funnel cakes and ice cream. Winter Range is truly an exciting and educational event for the entire family.
Admission is free with a $5 per car load charge for parking.
For further information, pictures and complete details go to www.winterrange.com.
