A Rootin’ Tootin’ Good Time
By Zac Bruckner
It was a surprisingly cool day on Saturday, July 25th for Crystal Peak Youth Ranch’s annual Hoedown. Several people returned to their vehicles to grab jackets or sweatshirts to ward off the brisk wind blowing across the Ranch. However, a little bit of cool weather wasn’t enough to stop over two hundred people from enjoying the cowboy/cowgirl event.
Those who came were greeted at the Main Yard by staff and volunteers dressed in their finest country outfits. Adults and kids alike were given new, slightly more interesting names more befitting for a country event: Outlaw Annabelle, Ramblin’ Rose, and Pecos Bill were just a few of the folks roaming about the Ranch that evening. Fresh popcorn and lemonade awaited the newly christened cowboys and cowgirls, as well as apple bobbing, a milking ‘cow,’ target shooting, lariat throwing, and face painting.
A live band starting to strum their strings called everyone back to the center of the yard for the ever-popular country dancing time. People laughed, stomped their feet, clapped their hands, and swung arm in arm with partners.
While everyone else was working up their appetite, a group of staff and volunteers heated up their grills. They prepared a smorgasbord of hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, potato salad, and watermelon. Their work was well appreciated.
After eating, everyone settled down on the lawn. As the band began to play again, they turned the focus onto a good God who allows us to have such fun and fellowship together. A message of encouragement was shared afterwards. Then when it was time for dessert, everyone packed into the barn. Ice cream with fudge or caramel sauce, bits of candy, maraschino cherries, and whipped cream, helped to finish the night on a sweet note.