KANAB – The annual Western Legends Roundup kicked off in Kanab Thursday in celebration of the town’s illustrious film heritage, which dates back to the 1920s. Stormy weather put a damper on day one of the festivities, however, sending attendees running for cover and turning downtown Kanab into a veritable ghost town in the latter part of the day. Festival organizers hope for nicer weather for the remainder of the event, which continues through Saturday.

“We’re having faith it will blow over and we’ll be just fine tomorrow,” Western Legends Roundup Secretary Heidi Reidhead said Thursday afternoon.

The traditional “Dinner with the Stars” event was moved indoors Thursday evening, changing venues at the last minute from Jacob Hamblin Park to Kanab Middle School due to the weather. The outdoor street fair on Main Street, typically crowded with out-of-towners and locals alike, was only sparsely attended.

“We had pretty decent crowds,” Reidhead said, “and then the rain came and a microburst wind came, took out one of the tents and tables, flipped it over.”

A woman was hit in the back of the head and injured when a canopy collapsed, and an ambulance had to be called, Reidhead said.

“But she’s bound and determined she’s going to be back tomorrow because she wants to be here,” she said.

Rain or shine, Western Legends Roundup will continue Friday and Saturday with attractions that include live entertainment, bus tours to local film and historic sites, Western demonstrations, food and vendor booths, film screenings in the Crescent Moon Theater, concerts, cowboy poetry, wagon rides, a Friday night street dance, a tractor pull, and opportunities for folks to meet with visiting celebrities and get their autographs. Stars scheduled to be in attendance at this year’s event include Clint Walker, Roberta Shore, Don Collier, and various others.

The annual “High Noon” parade will take place Saturday at noon on Center Street in Kanab, and a barn dance will close out the festivities Saturday night at 9 p.m. in the Old Barn Theater behind Parry Lodge.

“There’s something for everybody here,” Reidhead said.

Event details

• What: Western Legends Roundup
• Where: Various location in Kanab
• When: Aug. 25-27, various events throughout the day
• Details: Western Legends Roundup website | Facebook

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