NEWPORT-Lovers of the "Old West" stories-tales of cowboys and rodeos-are looking forward to next April when Wild West Days, a celebration of the days from 1870-1900, will be held at Del Rio's French Broad River Outpost Ranch.

Organizer Shawn Gannon announced the event at Monday's meeting of the Cocke County Partnership's Executive Committee at Mountain Crest Inn.

According to Gannon, the four-day event will kick off April 1, 2010 with two concerts by Michael Martin Murphey.

Gannon said the celebration will include cowboy action shooting exhibitions, cowboy mounted shooting contests, quick-draw exhibitions, square dancing, pioneer games for families, chuck wagon cook-offs, wagon rides, horseshoe hunts, horse painting for kids, live bands, roping exhibitions, tomahawk and knife throwing, medicine shows, storytelling from the Old West, and daily reenactments of the gunfight at the OK Corral and Wild Bill Hickock's last poker game.

According to Gannon, 25 percent of the proceeds will go to a program to Save the Hemlocks.

Board members also heard Cocke County Partnership President Don Hurst's first report since returning to his leadership position.

Hurst told members, "We are working on Cocke County's infrastructure needs, determining our Broadband needs, and are visiting our existing industries to find out where we are."

In talking about Cocke County's Broadband needs, Hurst said, "We are where electricity was in the 1940s."

Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations Kandee Veridal announced that 13 new members have joined the group.

"Last month we also sent out 24 relocation and visitor packets. We're also getting ready for the 24th annual Harvest Street Festival, which will kick off October 1 with Old Timey Night at 5 p.m."

Veridal invited members to attend the grand opening of DEKOMTE de Temple on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. and a Business After Hours at 5 Arts Studio on Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m.

Cocke County Tourism Director Linda Lewanski reported her office had also been active. "We attended the Great Smoky Mountain Park's reenactment of President Roosevelt's dedication of the Park, were represented at the Governor's Conference, and sponsored a reunion and luncheon for citizens who were born in the area now encompassed by the Park," she said.

Among those attending Monday's meeting was State Rep. Eddie Yokley, who praised the Partnership for its work.

"I was the only legislator to attend the Governor's Conference all three days," said Yokley, "and I want you to know that your group was the best represented group there. Nashville knows who you are. The Partnership opens doors for me to help you. Thank you for your participation."

The Partnership's October meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:30 a.m. at Mountain Crest Inn.