Two more weeks. It’s
almost here, and I’m ready, but I’ve been ready for almost a year. This year is the 50th Anniversary
of the Feed, and rather than write a few paragraphs about it, I thought
something different would be more appropriate.
The Annual Wild Game Feed sends out a copy of their creed most years
with their ticket order form, and I decided to reprint it here as a reminder to
everyone of what this shindig is about.
Annual
Wild Game Feed Creed
“We, the members of the Annual Wild Game Feed, declare that
the old traditions of the Western Territories of the United States are alive at
this beginning of the twenty-first century.
Since the early 19th century it has been the
tradition on this part of the North American Continent that hunters, fishermen,
mountain men, and outdoorsmen would once each year gather to trade game, food,
furs, provisions and experiences.
Through this gathering, men of high education or of keen business sense
formed life long friendships, initiated a sense of community in that vast
wilderness and gained respect for this region and for all its wealth. These conventions were known as the “summer
rendezvous.”
Lest such tradition fade completely into memory, the Annual
Wild Game Feed is hereby created and dedicated to the preservation of the
summer rendezvous and for all that it means to the modern hunters, fishermen
and outdoorsmen. That the community of
the West still survives to preserve for the future of our young and old alike, the
rights of hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen, to enjoy and continue to
experience the wilderness and wealth that still exists but is perilously close
to extinction.
It is for these purposes that the Annual Wild Game Feed is
organized and dedicated and resolves to raise funds for donations to such other
non-profit and charitable or public benefit organizations similarly situated,
either in part or in full, for the preservation of the traditions of the
American West outdoorsmen’s experience for all generations to come.
Accordingly, at noon on the third Friday of each September,
the Annual Wild Game Feed will hold its annual event, serving game and
beverages to its members to celebrate the Western tradition of the summer
rendezvous and raise funds for charitable organizations.”
Sounds good to me.
See you at the Feed!
Meat and Beer!