Western Movie Fan? Plan a Visit to Kanab, Utah for the Annual Western Legends Round-Up

If the idea of meeting classic western stars of television, cinema and stage coupled with a street fair, tours of the famed Frontier Town Movie Studio and an authentic, Dutch oven dinner served under the stars thrills you, Kanab is the place to be this August.

Each year this plucky and picturesque cow town hosts a three day Annual Western Legends Round-Up that is sure to keep the cowboy lovers in your family singing Strawberry Roan or Raw Hide.

So grab your chaps, sit high in the saddle and read on to learn what you need to know before you go.

Annual Western Round-Up 2011 Schedule

As this is an annual event, dates may change slightly each year. For 2011 the round-up is scheduled for August 18^th through the 20^th. Many of the events are held right on Kanab's Main Street. Full event details are generally posted on the Annual Western Legends Round-Up website several months in advance.

On tap for 2011 the western movie stars lighting up the round-up's playbill include James Drury of "The Virginian", Clint Walker of "Cheyenne", Ed Faulkner of "Have Gun Will Travel", western stuntman Neil Summers, Peter Ford and Paul Peterson of "A Time for Killing", Kathy Garver and Greg Palmer of "Death Valley Days" and my personal favorite, James Hampton of "F Troop."

Furthermore, there will be plenty of other famous western entertainers like the venerable duo of Roy Rogers Junior and Dustin Roy Rodgers, who just happen to be the son and grandson of western great Roy Rogers. Other celebrated people to take the stage include Utah's Poet Laureate, Doug Keller.

On top of the movie stars and stellar entertainment, Kanab's Annual Western Legends Round-Up offers up a series of western themed workshops, shooting competitions, food and beverage vendors, theatrical western productions, showing of classic films, arts and crafts, Mountain Man demonstrations and a cavalcade of activities for pint size cowboys and cowgirls.

Annual Western Legends Round-Up
435-644-3444

Where to Stay in Kanab, The Purple Sage Inn

Out-of-towners will not have to go far to hang up their hat and spurs for the night. The Purple Sage Inn is located right on Kanab's Main Street and features guest rooms with balconies that overlook the festivities.

The history of this charming, circa 1884, Pioneer Italianate style Inn is an entertaining one, especially for movie history buffs. The Inn's owners in residence have long standing, familial roots to Kanab's vast movie chronicles.

Overnight accommodations at the Purple Sage Inn start at $135 per night, double occupancy. Zane Grey fans may want to consider upgrading to the Zane Grey Suite which rents for $150 per night, double occupancy. The room was frequented by the writer while he penned what else but "Riders of the Purple Sage." Adjacent to the suite is a lovely area that contains a library replete with the famed author's writings. Room rates are inclusive of a hearty, hot, full breakfast and use of the Inn's indoor and outdoor public spaces.

Purple Sage Inn
877-644-5377

Where to Find Cowboy Grub in Kanab

There will be food and beverages available at the Annual Western Legends Round-Up, but if that isn't enough to satisfy your wagon train size family consider strapping on the feed bag at either the Rockin' V Café or the Spurs Grill.

The Spurs Grill opens year round at 5:00 pm for dinner and offers up live entertainment on Saturdays. The Rockin' V Café, on the other hand, is open year round at 5:00 pm Thursday through Monday and features a western art gallery on premise. Affordably priced American cuisine is served at both establishments.

Spurs Grill
435-644-8080

Rockin' V Café
435-644-8001

Other Places to Go in Kanab

Frontier Movie Town was one of the major impetuses in the creation of Kanab's Annual Western Legends Round-Up and should not be missed. It features a western movie memorabilia museum, gift shop, themed cook outs and was the filming site of countless western movie and television shows. Some of the television shows filmed at Frontier Movie Town include the "Six Million Dollar Man", "F Troop", "Grizzly Adams", "How the West was Won", "The Lone Ranger", "Wagon Train", "Lassie" and "Daniel Boone." The museum is open daily during the round-up from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and admission is free.

Frontier Movie Town
435-644-2489

Sources:
Purple Sage Inn, "Home" Purple Sage Inn
Roy Rogers, "Home" Roy Rogers
James Drury, "Home" Official Web Site James Drury, "The Virginian"
Kanab Chamber of Commerce, "Home" Kanab Chamber of Commerce
Frontier Movie Town, "Home" Frontier Movie Town
Western Legends Round-Up, "Home" Western Legends Round-Up