Host Reception
Thursday, November 15, 2007
 

The Flying W Ranch , located in Colorado Springs, is a working mountain cattle ranch that has specialized in western food and entertainment since 1953. Guests experience picturesque natural surroundings, an authentic Western Village and mighty tasty Chuck Wagon Suppers. When the Flying W Wranglers top the evening off with their outstanding Western Stage Show we truly have an offering unsurpassed in Colorado.

The Glory days of the American cowboy have been relegated to a bygone era that ended over 100 years ago. Yet, the romantic legend of the cowboy lives on in song. Around the campfire, the cowboy sang of life on the trail with all the challengers, hardships and dangers encountered while pushing contrary critters endless miles up the legendary dusty trails that headed north. While much of what is included in the genre of “cowboy music” is “traditional”, a number of songs have been written in the last 50-60 years and made famous by groups like the “Sons of the Pioneers” and “Riders in the Sky” and individual performers such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Michael Martin Murphy and other “singing cowboys.” Singing in the “wrangler style” these entertainers have served to preserve the cowboy as a unique American hero.

The Flying W Wranglers have been a part of the tradition for 54 years, making them the world’s second oldest western singing group. Definitely not “drug store” cowboys, the lines of these men are interwoven in rural communities around horses, cattle and the great out of doors, And, when it’s time for branding at the Flying W each fall, these cowboys get down and dirty and take care of business. There is definite “authenticity” in their performances whether during the Chuckwagon Season, the Winter Steakhouse or performing concerts abroad. January and February find them working in an on-site recording studio and putting together new shows for the upcoming year. The Flying W Wranglers are an integral part of preserving our great western heritage.

Transportation will be provided via bus from the Broadmoor to the Flying W Ranch and return.  Tickets to attend the Host Night event are required and registered CALEA conference attendees may attend free of charge.  Due to cost and planning considerations, only 800 tickets will be available for Host Night.  Non-registered attendees that wish to attend the Host Night at the Flying W Ranch, such as family members and friends, will be charged $25. 

Tickets for the bus ride and dinner can be obtained from host representatives on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning in the Broadmoor Hall adjacent to the vendors area.  If you know that you will need additional tickets, please contact the conference coordinator, Sgt Mark Stevens, at calea@springsgov.com, or you can call 719-444-7844 for more information.