The second annual VHA Country and Western Hoedown had crowds streaming in to the Villages Polo Fields well in to the afternoon on Saturday. As is often the case with new events, the organizer’s made some changes from their inaugural event last year.
“In addition to adding more booths and changing the layout, we added more variety to the entertainment,” said VHA President Fred Briggs. The morning started with Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer singing the National Anthem and God Bless America which was described by one attendee as “a real sweet moment.”
Many in the crowd were buzzing about national recording country artist Crystal Gage’s performance.
“We were just walking by and when we head her voice we stopped and stayed for the whole show,” said Judy Fujawa.
“She was really fantastic,” added Barbara Mulcahey.”I would love to see her playing in the squares,” added Fujawa.
Friends Fujawa and Fran Leghorn came to last year’s Hoedown and enjoyed it so much they returned this year with Mulcahey. They gave this year’s event a big thumb’s up. Their only suggestion would be to have more schedules posted so you are sure not to miss anything.
Another new addition in the entertainment schedule this year were the line dancing horses presented by Michaella Walker Horsemanship. Walker’s drill team, Southern Belles and Bows, performed line dances on horseback with a few audience members and then they invited everyone down and as the people line danced in front the ladies on horses were doing the same moves with their horses. Walker had seen horse line dancing done with one horse and thought really that is what a precision drill team does. She just changed some of the moves added the music and there you have it – line dancing horses.
Food and drink were definitely part of the afternoon’s entertainment. There were three winners in the Cowboy-stew Cook-off. First place went to T & D Family of Companies, second place went to Alliant Dermatology and third place went to Villages Golf Cars.
Tom and Annette Higgins sporting their Hoedown t-shirts from last year enjoyed their time at the Hoedown.
“It is just a nice way to spend a beautiful afternoon,” said Annette. Apparently many people felt that way.
Noting that the crowd size was definitely bigger than last year, “We are growing and we are happy about that,” said Briggs.
VHA vice president and chair of the event Phil Walker said that plans are already underway for the 2019 Hoedown.
