November 2017 34 By JoAnn Kramer In May of 2005, my husband and I bought Western Trails Ranch from a gold miner named Al Chattel. Al originally named it Western Trails Ranch and it was pretty much deserted for 28 years. He had always planned to make it a huge event venue with food, drinks, and music like it is now, but his health and age prevented him from making his dreams come true. He did have Minnie Pearl and Rex Allen perform on the Grand Ave concert stage in the 1950’s and that’s as big as the venue ever got. My husband Budd and I saw a need for entertainment on the West side of town and decided Western Trails Ranch would be something fun for everyone. We bought Western Trails Ranch from Al in 2005 and spent almost a year doing renovations. For our grand opening in 2006, most of the venue had been updated but only Buzzard’s Saloon was open to the public. Buddy Boom’s BBQ and the Mine Shaft Saloon opened in May 2006 with only walk-up window service. Soon, construction on the Hungry Bull Steakhouse & Saloon was completed making it the only new building on the property. We had a giant stage and held concerts where the team roping arena is currently. We had one concert with Bad Company that drew 8,000 people here. We also had Dr. Hook, Jefferson Starship and a host of many tribute bands. As the venue grew we hosted flea markets, car shows, weddings, the battle of the bands, bike runs, staff appreciation parties, carnivals, country fairs, BBQ contests, chili cook-offs, and metal fest as well as local bands and new artists. In 2010, a bull riding arena and team roping facility were added to the venue so we could offer an even greater variety of exciting events. A few years into the business my husband Budd said it was too much stress and returned to his former business as an estate planner. Sadly in April 2011, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and after a long battle, he died in January 2014. We were married for 40 years and have 2 children and 3 grand- children. For the last 8 years, I have run the Ranch primarily by myself with the help of the staff. I continue to try to serve the people and community on the west side, expand the business and bring more entertainment out this way. It has been an unreal journey and I thank you all for your friendship and love! Thanks for visiting my little western town, Western Trails Ranch. www.westerntrailsranch.com. See their advertisement on page 9. WESTERN TRAILS RANCH A JOURNEY OF LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNITY