The Sedona Main Street
Program nominates the very successful “Hands through History: Sedona
Western Films” for Arizona Main Street Best Special Event. This series
of events created many special moments and fond memories. What makes it
outstanding is the outcome – many volunteers and partnerships created a
permanent element in the historic commercial district’s public
right-of-way which pays tribute
to our cultural heritage and highlights our unique sense of place.
Dwight Brooks (Owner
of Sedona Movie Studio) had a vision for a “Western
Walk of Fame” in Sedona. Dwight wanted a way to show appreciation to all
celebrities who have made western movies filmed in Sedona. He hoped to
increase awareness of those celebrities and their body of work produced
here by creating commemoratives for all to see.
Dwight contacted Sedona Main Street
Program (SMSP) to discuss this concept and we embraced the idea. He knew
the celebrities and how to get in touch with them, and we wanted to
ensure its placement in our historic commercial district, especially
since some of the western movies were filmed in the buildings still
here. So we began planning a way to make it happen. SMSP negotiated
with the City of Sedona for a partnership and inclusion of the
commemoratives in our public right-of- way, proposing they be placed in
our sidewalks during the Uptown Enhancement Project planned for 2005-06.
The “Hands through History: Sedona
Western Films” event was born following committee building and
brainstorming, with these proposed criteria: design commemoratives
(granite plaques with etched image, name, movie & date); embed plaque in
“Sedona red” colored cement (celebrities imprint their hands or cowboy
boots during event); plan event to honor each celebrity (show clips of
movie filmed in Sedona in which celebrity appeared). The Hands through
History Committee met the challenge of developing a budget, acquiring
both sponsors and volunteers (see attachments), creating an event and
all the special arrangements that would draw the celebrities, involving
media, and ensuring public attendance for a ticketed event.
Hands through History: Sedona Western
Films became a series of three “Star Studded” events just a few months
apart. The inaugural event on Oct. 27, 2004 honored Ernest Borgnine, Ben
Cooper, Sue Ane Langdon, A.C. Lyles, and Sedona’s very own Dwight Brooks
and Bob Bradshaw. The 2nd event was held Feb. 3, 2005 with Clint Walker, Robert
Horton, Morgan Woodward and Edd Byrnes. Then on May 12, 2005 the 3rd
event brought us Dick Jones, James Drury, Ty Power representing his
father, Tyrone Power and Donna Martel on behalf of Randolph Scott (see
Event Programs).
Each Honoree received a host of
complimentary services including transportation (by air or car) from and
to their homes, personally-escorted limousine transportation to and from
the airport, fabulous accommodations at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa,
welcome baskets with treats and gifts from our community, a private
dinner in their honor and breakfast buffet just for the stars. In
return, each and every celebrity waived their appearance fee, shared
stories, got dirty in Sedona cement, signed anything (from books to
event programs and cocktail napkins) and gave away autographed photos.
Members of the HTH Committee were able
to welcome the honorees when they arrived in town, a special moment for
them. A champagne and cocktail hour was scheduled just prior to the main
event, as a “meet & greet” between the honorees and all the invited
Media. Each of the event evenings were a buzz with filming by local
media, pre-arranged recorded interviews, recording of every quotable
sentence and snapping photos left & right. “Side-kicks” were provided
for each honoree, to ease the introductions, be at their beck and call
for the entire evening, and keep things on schedule for the main event.
Each of the three events was sold out,
and the Landmark Ballroom was filled to capacity. As the side-kicks and
their celebrities entered the Ballroom for the “main event” the entire
room went silent each event. Then to our amazement and delight, each of
the Celebrities entered the room and graciously shook hands and talked
to every attendee one by one, shoulder to shoulder for over an hour
prior to the commencement of their introductions, their Film Clips and
Words of their Wisdom. Participants requested reservations for next
event even though dates and celebrities had not been scheduled; the
events were the talk of the town for weeks and inquiries continue for
the next HTH event; celebrities have sent letters of appreciation for
the recognition and community welcome; Event Programs have become
keepsakes, especially if autographed by a western film celebrity!
Volunteer Attachment
