It was a late night, but the annual Fashion Show did not disappoint anyone in attendance.
Guests were greeted by a giant, blow-up birthday cake proclaiming "Happy 60th Birthday, Wrangler!" as they stepped of the escalator. A social hour was held were many old friendships were renewed and new friendships made.
After the guests were seated, Master of Ceremonies Tim Fuller introduced up and Miss Kaley Caperton of Texas to sing the National Anthem. New Mexico National Director Wilma Fulgham gave a touching prayer prior to dinner. The evenings menu included salad, fork-tender steak, scalloped potatoes and steamed vegetables. Mini birthday cakes emblazoned with the Wrangler patch were served for dessert.
During dinner Tim and PRCA Announcer Matt West auctioned off a set of "Mystery Boxes" as a fund raiser for Miss Rodeo America, Inc. Texas State Director Marjorie Murphy gathered surprise items into three boxes and bidders could select one, two or all three of the boxes. The bidding was fierce as Tim took bids and Matt urged the audience to bid high. In the end, Mr. Red Wilk purchased all three boxes for a substantial donation to MRA, Inc. To his families delight, a trip to the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant, a coral necklace, tickets to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and more were discovered within the boxes.
Reigning Miss Rodeo America Ashley Andrews reported from the event for the "Miss Rodeo America News". Tim Fuller played the legendary designer to the cowboys Rodeo Ben. He spoke of the past, including the birth of the legendary Wrangler 13MWZ jean.
Throughout the evening a video tribute and history was given of the Wrangler brand. Mr. Bill Hervey played an integral part in the building of the Wrangler brand and he shared many stories about the development of the product line. When the jeans were first sold they could be purchased for a mere $3.99. The first person to endorse the new jean was rodeo legend Jim Shoulders. His wife, Sharon, would later play an important role in the development of the Wrangler women's line. In 1974 the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association named the 13MWZ as the official jean of the association.
Kaley Caperton performed three numbers including "When Country Wasn't Cool" by Barbara Mandrel and an out of this world "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Ms. Caperton is also and aspiring song writer and wrote a tribute to Wrangler's 60th birthday entitled "In My Jeans". She debuted the song at this year's fashion show.
The Miss Rodeo America contestants performed high energy dances to musical medleys which included, "R E S P E C T", "House of Blue Lights", and "Achey Breaky Heart". All of the clothing, accessories and boots were donated to the contestants by Wrangler, the Chambers Belt Company and Justin Boots. Ashley and Time took their turn on the dance floor with a medley including a waltz, a two-step and an electrifying swing number.
Ashley then came on stage for "The Ashley Andrews Show". A spoof of popular shows such as "The Tonight Show", Ashley bantered with the crowd, hosted an "Identify the Wrangler Butt" photo contest, and interviewed Phil McAdams, president of Wrangler. During her interview with Mr. McAdams special guest Marilyn Monroe graced the stage and sang "Happy Birthday" to Wrangler. During her show Ashley had her own Top Six Reasons to Wear Wranglers" list (the writers are on strike, so six was all we got!).
It is tradition to announce the inductees into the Miss Rodeo America Hall of Fame during the Fashion Show. Committee member and Wrangler employee Sherry Smith introduced Hall of Fame Member Bob Tallman who announced the 2007 inductee - "Wrangler". Mr. Hervey, Mrs. Shoulders, Mr. McAdams, Mr. Karl Stressman, Mr. Joe Hertz, Mr. Kevin Walsh, Mr. Dan Reeves and other members of the Wrangler family accepted the award on behalf of the brand.
The final dance number of the evening showcased the talents of Ashley and her gang as they performed to "Me and My Gang". Following a rousing round of applause, Wrangler endorsee Susie Dobbs entertained the audience with a few of her hit songs.
The highly anticipated Western Elegance portion of the fashion show had arrived. Ashley modeled a beautiful beaded gown and was followed by twenty-seven state representatives in a variety of colors and styles. At the end, each contestant walked amongst the tables as "How 'Bout Them Cowgirls" played and photos of them wearing their Wrangler jeans out and about were shown on the big screens.
The evening ended with Ashley entering the room on the back of Troy Lerwell's motorcycle to the song "Rock this Party". The contestants were joined on stage by many Wrangler endorsees including Sherry Cervi, Boyd Polhamus and others to sing Happy Birthday to Wrangler.
Once again, the evening was a success and plans are already underway for the 2009 Miss Rodeo America Fashion Show. To see photos from the event, please visit the website of professional photographer John Shooter at http://www.shooterenterprises.com.
Thank you to committee chair Kiki Shumway, Kate Rumford and Lori McKettrick (co-chairs), Stephanie Hedin, Linda Ebest, Marjorie Murphy, Dale Harman, Nicole Cypers, Ina Ginsberg, Jim Peer, Cindy & Red Wilk, Sherry Smith, Kathy Shumway, Deborah Tucker, DeShannon Davis and Amber Riesterer for their work on the committee. The choreographer of the event was LauraLyn Kofford and, she was assisted by Casey Balding. Escorts were Phil McAdams, Karl Stressman, Joe Hertz, Kevin Walsh and Dan Reeves. Royal Arena Table sponsors included Wrangler, Red Wilk Construction, Landstrom's Original Black Hills Gold Creations, Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation and Friends, Arlene Kensinger, Justin Boot Company, Shumway Farms, John E. Cavey and Pat J. Thompson and state Miss Rodeo Associations Texas, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, New Mexico, South Dakota, Washington, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arzona, and Florida.
