Air Time Music

A chance encounter four years ago with a group of musicians—Lance Maclean, Keith Taylor, Meg Graf, and Vicki Cox—led to the first Air Time Music Festival three years ago. The way Ray Pokorny tells the tale, his friend Kenny Bicart bumped into the performers while they were staying at the Inn at Cross Keys in Madras. The group was performing in Shaniko during their Ragtime Festival. Bicart asked them if they’d be willing to give an impromptu performance in Madras and they happily agreed. But a suitable location didn’t turn up in time, so the musicians promised to play the following year.

Bicart got in touch with Pokorny to help organize the event in Madras, held at the Erickson Aircraft museum. That first year, the festival consisted of only those four musicians and was a smash hit with the locals.

Now the event has expanded to two days, with music in genres from ragtime to bluegrass, country, honky-tonk, folk, and jazz. The original performers will take the stage with their toe-tapping ragtime, along with several other groups and quite a few soloists. Pokorny will play with a group, too. He currently plays the piano and trumpet and is working on accordion and guitar.

As successful as the festival has been, Pokorny’s dream for it is grander still.

“I’d love to find a well-known singer-songwriter to come land on the airstrip, walk the 150 feet to the building with their guitar, all unbeknownst to the crowd,” he shared. “Of course they’d know someone was coming, but not who it was.”

A surprise big-name musician would certainly draw a big crowd, and Pokorny hopes one day to make that dream a reality.

The event is low-key and family-friendly, with proceeds donated to a local 4-H group. Pokorny and his wife, Annette, are both passionate about introducing live music to young people. Annette gave piano lessons for years and now works as a substitute teacher.

“There’s something about music that takes away the differences between us,” Pokorny said, “something that brings us all together.”

The Air Time Music Festival is October 5–6, 10 am–10 pm, with $5 admission for ages 12 and up.

50 Years of Cowdeo

The Cowdeo in Madras is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year on Saturday, October 20, with a new event that includes past all-around winners competing together. Though some of the winners from Cowdeo’s early years may be grandparents now, they’re eager to dust off their lariats and get back in the arena.

Last year’s Cowdeo included more than 200 contestants, and with the anniver-sary this year, it’s bound to be even more spectacular. Kids 14 and under compete for custom-made belt buckles in each event. The all-around winner with the highest point total wins a saddle.

To enter Cowdeo, kids pay a $6.50 fee, most of which goes into a pot divided among first, second, and third-place winners in each event. Spectators pay $5, and those funds go back into the community. The Cowdeo is a volunteer-run event that donates to local nonprofits such as the JC Rotary Club and 4-H clubs.

Events include cow riding, barrel racing, mutton busting, and breakaway roping. The Critter Scramble is a fun one to watch, as kids five and under are invited into the arena to chase down an animal that they get to take home. There are bound to be chickens, rabbits, maybe even young turkeys.

The day starts at 9 am and will finish between 4 and 5 pm with the final event. Food trucks will be on hand.

“The kids come from all over,” event organizer Brian Crow said. “It’s a great way for urban and rural kids to experience a rodeo in a safe, family-friendly environment.” •