Trying to beat the heat and the clock, about 50 volunteers began setting up the concert stage, lighting and sound systems at 7a.m. Tuesday in the Hays Municipal Park for this week’s Wild West Festival.
Some crew members were recruited by Hays High School’s Music Director Johnny Matlock. The money they earn will go towards a fundraiser for the school’s 12th Street Auditorium
“Our students from the Hays High Singers, the musical and the Chamber group have helped set up the stage equipment for their own performances, so we have a little bit of experience (doing this),” laughed Matlock.
The recruits are working with the professionals, Sure Sound and Lighting of Grand Island, Nebraska, who oversee the swarm of people working at mid-day to set up trusses and rigging, in preparation to hoist the lights.
The crew is working every day this week. One perk is getting to see all the performances on stage each night.
And then, when the 18th annual Wild West Festival is over, it’s time to “strike the set,” bright and early Sunday morning at 8 o’clock.
See more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.