To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Ropin’ Fool, the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation is planning a special event at the Will Rogers State Historic Park on Saturday, October 8, and all residents are invited.
Come to Will Rogers Park at 1501 Will Rogers State Park from 4 to 9 p.m. (parking will be free after 4 p.m.). Enjoy picnicking, and free popcorn and churros.
There will be Will Rogers trivia and prizes. Kids, and adults are invited to try roping skills: ropes will be provided. There will be tours of the Historic Park ranch house
Two-time Guiness World Record holder and cowboy trick roper Will Roberts will be on hand to demonstrate his skills from 4 p.m. until dusk. (He holds the Guinness World Record for Gun Spinning and Most People Inside a Spinning Lasso.)
Roberts is an award-winning actor, film and television weapons expert, cowboy, author reporter, dancer and onetime Cirque Du Soleil act. Robert’s TV credits include principal roles in the Netflix hit Lucifer. He has appeared in True Terror-Robert Enblund, Wave Rider, Mann & Wife and Last Man Standing.
He also appeared on The Ellen Show as “The Dancing Dad.” He is also a balloon artist and professional clown. A magician, he is a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood and the Magic Circle in the UK.
Just before the movies at dusk, Roberts will comment on Rogers’ trick roping seen in The Ropin’ Fool. Many of those skills, which were part of Will Rogers vaudeville act, have never been equaled by anyone.
After the 1922 silent film, The Ropin’ Fool, a classic Will Rogers 1934 comedy Life Begins at 40 with Jane Darwell (Grapes of Wrath) and a young Sterling Holloway (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh) will be shown.
Will Rogers in a scene from “Life Begins at 40.”