Eighty-eight years and still going strong, the “Fort Griffin Fandangle” returns this weekend to Albany.
Robert Nail created “Fandangle” in 1938 as sort of a musical history lesson about the frontier outpost that predated Albany just about 15 miles to the north. From 1867 to 1881, the town that grew around the fort was well known as the home or waypoint to a wide range of frontier characters.
Since the Great Depression the cast has been drawn from the ranks of local families. Some began performing as babies, moved on to older roles as cowboys or dancehall girls and then as wives, fathers and eventually grandparents.
The show is performed in the Prairie Theater, an outdoor amphitheater on the west edge of town. It’s a setting that connects the audience to the natural landscape from which the story sprang.
With the stars coming out overhead, early in the show cowboys drive a herd of longhorn cattle onto the grass-covered “stage.” After that, a cowboy swears off whiskey after realizing his drinking buddy is a rattlesnake.
The entire show is performed in song with narrators filling in between the performances with brief exposition. Cast and crew move the sets on and off the stage by starlight.
While the performance starts at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, there will be lot more to do in Albany before that. Fandangle has a complete list of events in town on their website.
A broad range of activities is on hand for visitors to explore. If you’re bringing kids, you can take them to the Albany City Pool from 12:30-5:30 p.m. where they can enjoy water features similar to Abilene’s Adventure Cove.
There is also the Old Jail Art Center, a world-class art museum featuring contemporary work as well classical pieces. Or you can visit the Flying “A” Car Museum for a different kind of classic.
But aside from that, there is downtown shopping, food trucks in Bank Park or dining at the other restaurants in town.
Of particular note is the traditional parade which will take place downtown at 5 p.m. Saturday. Horses, fire trucks, actors from the show and a working calliope so authentic you’ll grit your teeth as it passes by.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it this weekend. Aside from the parade, the town will do Fandangle all over again the following weekend of June 26 and 27.
Reserved seating is $20 with discounts available for active duty military and veterans. Box seating for groups is also available, you can purchase tickets online or by visiting the Fandangle ticket office at 2 Railroad Street in Albany.
The Prairie Theater is about 1 mile west of Albany at 1490 FM Road 1084. The entrance is tucked in somewhat, located on the right after the second curve behind the Fort Griffin Fandangle sign.
For those using GPS, the Fandangle includes the latitude and longitude numbers on their website for your convenience: 32.73174732186884, -99.30955757484128.
At the show, there will be concessions available but be prepared to pay cash only. And as it is spring and the show is in a country setting, mosquito spray is recommended.
For more information and directions to the Prairie Theater, call the ticket office at 325-762-3838.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: The Fort Griffin Fandangle sings and dances its way back to Albany
Reporting by Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News | USA TODAY Network
