Sunday, June 14, 1998

Continuing tradition

Making the past present, keeping the old but making it new -- the Fort Griffin Fandangle has become a historical tradition in itself.

The rollicking musical pageant celebrating the history of Shackelford County that was created by Robert Nail back in 1938 opens its 60th season this week, an occasion we note today with a front page story and a special section devoted to the Fandangle.

Folks continue to fly in from all over the country to see it, and with the Prairie Theater located just outside Albany, families from the Abilene area shouldn't miss out on this year's version of the fun. The first performance is Thursday at dusk, which should be around 8:30-9 p.m.

The show's most fabled performers -- the 20 members of the official state longhorn herd -- will be on hand, along with cowboys and Indians galloping across the outdoor amphitheater, rousing dance numbers and a sentimental song or two thrown in for good measure.

Directed by Betsy Parsons, performances run through the weekend and Thursday through Saturday of next week, with the annual parade scheduled at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. For ticket information, call (915) 762-3838.