Some of the most famous ladies in the history of the Wild West are inviting Cochranites to come out to support a good cause.
On Oct. 18, the Women of the Wild West are putting on a fundraising event with proceeds going towards the Children’s Wish Foundation.
The group of women impersonate famous women from the past including everyone from Annie Oakley to Calamity Jane.
Christa Fricke is a member of the Women of the Wild West and represents Poker Alice and is helping to organize the event.
According to the Women of the Wild West website, Poker Alice was the best known female poker player in the American West who was always fashionably dressed, packed a .38 revolver and smoked cigars.
“We did a similar fundraiser to this one two years ago at the Legion and we raised over $10,000,” said Fricke. “We would like to double it this year.”
This year’s event will take place at Cochrane’s BullHorn Saloon and will feature award winning entertainers, a live auction and will be emceed by radio personality Dan Butler.
Canadian cowboy musician Jim Peace and country band Jacquie Drew and the Crew will be performing at the event. There will also be readings from award winning cowboy poets B.J. Smith and Doris Daley.
Fricke said that Smith and Peace are each donating a home concert private performance as part of the live auction. Other items include two WestJet tickets to wherever they fly, golfing at Wintergreen in Bragg Creek, a ski package, artwork and much more.
The Women of the Wild West began in 2006 and their mission is to have fun while also raising funds and awareness for women and children in need.
They have ridden and ‘ribboned’ in various local parades, including the Calgary Stampede, Cochrane, Okotoks, Airdrie and Crossfield parades. Fricke explained that this helps them gain exposure for their charity events.
Their first project was to help Martha Birkett, one of the ladies who got the group started, ride cross-country from Ottawa to Calgary to raise funds for the Children’s Wish Foundation. The project was called Giddy Up for Wishes and raised over $208,000.
Tickets for the Oct. 18 event are $50 and include a dinner. For tickets or more information contact Fricke at 403-397-2642 or email [email protected].
