Author Archives: TrickRoper

4th Grade Gold Rush Field Trip . . . Ideas

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The school year is flying past.  And if it hasn’t already been done, it’s time to decide what to do this year for the 4th grade’s grand finale.  A year of California history and the gold rush deserve  a big finish.

 

Questions . . .

So, do we load the students on buses and take them off campus for a few hours of activities?  Is it worth the cost for the location and the transportation?    Is the travel time worth the hours spent on the bus?  Are we locked into a location’s program? Will be be sharing the space with other schools?

or . . . .

Do we host an on-campus event?  Is it economical, safer and more productive from a time saving standpoint?  Does it gives the students more time for activities and learning? 

Bringing the experience to the campus as an on-campus field trip is becoming the popular choice for many districts and schools.  The activity can be planned, organized and carried out by the staff and parents, but it takes a fair amount of effort.  Or it can be brought to the school by an outside source.  This option is more economical than taking the students off-campus, and easier than doing it yourself.  On-campus programs are designed to be flexible to meet the specific needs of the particular school and offer a host of other advantages.

Lewis Events, offers a 4th grade California History program that focuses on the Gold Rush era.  The program generally begins with an assembly that covers topics such as: Merchants versus prospector’s success, types of mining and tools, western trick roping performance, brief historical overview, student participation, props and all presenters in historical wardrobe.  Assemblies can be held indoors or outdoors.

In addition to the assembly, students also have the opportunity to rotate among a variety of exciting hands-on activities. These experiences may include:  Gold panning, virtual calf roping, ink quill writing, rope making, frontier photo scene,  trick roping, old time games, square and social dancing and leather crafting, all in a setting accented with unique western decor (there are many more rotation choices available not listed here).  Lewis Events works with educators to determine the  rotation choices, schedule and appropriate number of activities for the amount of students.

Occasionally, schools choose to add to the program utilizing their own resources. Schools have put on frontier style lunches serving fried chicken, biscuits, baked beans, corn on the cob and cobbler all served on a tin plate.  One school awarded points based on how many rotations each student visited.  The points were cashed in for prizes of varying value at a general store.  

Give us a call or email us at Lewis Events and we’d be happy to talk to you about your assembly and activity ideas.  Whether you bring us to campus for a program or just need some ideas to do it yourself we’d love to hear from you.  Call us at 626-536-8091 or email us at “info@LewisEvents.com“.  You can also contact us through this website.

Happy trails!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trick Roping at Equestfest

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Each year on January 1st, the world welcomes in the new year with the Tournament of Roses Parade from Pasadena, California.  Another incredible event, held a few days before the parade is Equestfest.  At Equestfest, each of the groups riding in the parade is given the opportunity to show off their fancy riding skills, stunts, and all the amazing showmanship they can’t showcase during the parade in an arena near Pasadena.

For about 15 years, the Lewis family has had the honor of being featured at Equestfest, demonstrating their trick roping, whip cracking and gun spinning skills. Equestfest visitors also have the chance to experience the old west as they pick up the ropes and learn to spin for themselves.

Always crowded in the roping area as Trick Roper Christy and Emily work with the crowd.

Emily had her own LAPD student.

After a long day of roping they boarded the stage and rode into the sunset.

 

Trick Roping at the LA Zoo

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“Roaring Nights goes Country” was one of the after hours themed events held last summer at the LA Zoo.  Lewis Events was invited to assist the zoo in making the tranformation to the wild west.  We brought in a variety of theme decorations, a western show and a unique collection of guest activities.

 A quick set up had to take place while the daytime crowd transitioned to the Roaring Nights crowd.

Colorful vignettes were set up at key locations within the zoo.

The western roping and variety show was staged directly in front of the elephant exhibit.  Before the show, we did a run through to make sure that the elephants were ok with the cracking of the bullwhip and the acts in general.  Then some pre-show filming. . . . Finally the crowds gathered and the show began. Definitely a first for Lewis Events.  Between shows we were able to have a behind the scenes tour of the zoo.

The elephants went on grass munching and wandering during the show and stunts . . . didn’t seem to mind all the lively western action and sounds one bit.

The crowd gathered as the show began and progressed. 

One of the event’s focal points was an activity area we created where Roaring Nights guests had the opportunity to try a selection of hands-on old west activities. Prospectors tried their hand at the gold panning station.  Fancy roping was taught in the trick roping area.  Cowhands had the chance to throw a lariat around one of the virtual longhorn steers.  A fun night in a truly unique venue.

Oklahoma

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When 3D Theatricals brought the timeless stage production “Oklahoma” to Southern California, they needed some help with the trick roping section of the show.  So who did they call?  Trick Roper Christy Lewis of course!  Christy was brought in to teach the show’s featured talent the basics of trick roping and visited the rehearsal hall on multiple occasions.  Once the talent had mastered the basics with the lariat, she choreographed the roping routines for the production. 

The opening night of the show was an exciting occasion.  The featured talent spun their ropes with enthusiasm and had a superb opening night.  Following the show Christy and Jay had the opportunity to visit with the cast at the opening night party and compliment the cast on a job well done!

Howdy Brea

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They grabbed their boots, dusted off the Stetsons and cranked up the country tunes, because the wild west once again came alive!  Lewis Events was invited for another year to be part of Brea Bonanza Days in charming downtown . The streets were barricaded and the masses decended upon a festival packed full of live entertainment, delicious delicacies, and mesmerizing activities.

There were multiple days of country music headliners on the main stage. Line dancing kept the guests on their feet.  Gold panning, dream catcher art, games, pony rides and feeding live animals kept everyone busy till after the sun set in the west.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Crowd in Susanville

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Way up north in Susanville in Lassen County, yes we go there too.  The Lassen County School Distrct brought all their 4th grade students (and there was a ton) to the Lassen County Fairgrounds for a California history program and activity day.  Busses traveled from all over the widespread county, filled with enthusiastic youth ready to  experience the old west.

Lewis Events was invited to bring California history to life for the unique experience.  So we packed up the truck and made the long trip.  Exciting activities included gold panning, rope  making, candle making, butter churning, old west games, virtual calf roping, trick roping,  jump rope contests, branding, dancing, and dress-up photos.

To acommodate the large crowd, activities were spread throughout the fairground’s facilities.  See you next year Susanville!

 

 

After two busy days of shows and activities, we took a road trip across the mountains and down the coast of California.

 

 

 

 

 

Go West!

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We did go west . . . almost all the way to Malibu.  Set in the heart of the historic Paramount movie ranch, we rolled up our sleeves and created a western experience for the employees and guests of a westside advertising agency.

To bring the wild west alive at Paramount, Lewis Events brought mouth watering BBQ cuisine, an exciting and bustling saloon casino, trick roping, cattle drive pony rides, foot stomping entertainment, strike it rich gold panning, atmosphere characters, virtual calf roping, unique western theme decor and a real live thundering stagecoach.

The original Paramount studios rach provided the perfect setting for a great old west special event. Both indoor and outdoor areas were used for the variety of event activities, dining, entertainment and socializing.  This amazing location has been used for an almost endless list of movies and productions including Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and most recently Carnivale.

And yes, we did ride the stage into the sunset.

2017 Rose Parade-Spirit of the West Riders

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The 2017 Tornament of Roses Parade was held this year on January 2nd and it was a beautiful day for a parade!  Christy rode again this year making it her 12th ride down Colorado Boulevard with the Spirit of the West Riders.  The group is famous for bringing the old west alive with authentic and reproduction wardrobe, saddles and tack.  Here is a photo tour of the amazing experience.

 

The crowds eagerly anticipate the parade on Colorado Boulevard.

The pre-parade staging area also known as the “pit”.

 

A flyover by the steath bomber officially begins the parade.

And finally the Spirit of the West Riders.

 

 

The relaxing walk after the 5+ mile parade to the post parade area.

 

Laurie in her self-made costume.

Christy and Jake.

Emily brushing out Jake.

See you next year!

Round Up at LA Live

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la-live-round-up-promo

For the second year, Lewis Events was asked to bring entertainment to LA Live for “Round Up at LA Live”.  This year we brought in trick roping and a western style magician.  Always tons of people, a myriad of activities, bright downtown lights, fantastic food and endless energy.  An honor to be part of this spectacular event!

Here’s the press release from LA Live:

LOS ANGELES (August 3, 2016) L.A. LIVE and Go Country will team up for the second year to host ‘Round Up,’ the ultimate country-themed block party, at L.A. LIVE on Friday, August 26 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free and open to the public, L.A. LIVE will bring the country to the city of Los Angeles for the perfect summer night out. Activities will include mechanical bull rides, live musical performances, line dancing, country-themed shopping vendors, street performers, rodeo ropers, games, live muralists and more.

Country music performances at the Round Up Getdown Stage will feature Redneck Rodeo, Honey Country, Daniel Bonte, Stephen Wesley in addition to line dancing instruction by Kristal Lynn Konzen and performances by the LA Wranglers, Rodeo Crew and award-winning trick roper, Cowgirl Christy Lewis. DJ Greggory Place with Gone Country Promotions will spin country hits all night long. Vendors to include Shay Candles, Soap Seas, Hollywood & Twine, Goat and Kettle, Succulent Heaven and more, in addition to western-themed street art created live on site by muralists, James Wilde XO, PhobikGod and MDMN.