Gunsmoke 60th Anniversary

[Okie4570]

Sounds like Dodge City is the place to be if you're a Gunsmoke fan on the last weekend of September.
We've got another trip planned or we'd be there.

http://www.dodgeglobe.com/article/20150815/NEWS/150819641

By Roger Bluhm/Dodge City Daily Globe

Posted Aug. 15, 2015 at 1:01 AM

Dodge City, Kan.
Quint Asper is coming back to Dodge City.
OK, so the actor who played Quint Asper will be joining other famous Gunsmoke alum as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary next month in Dodge City.
That actor is Burt Reynolds.
Reynolds, famous for his roles in Deliverance, The Longest Yard, Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run was on Gunsmoke from 1962 to 1965 playing a half-Indian named Quint Asper, who later became the town's blacksmith and helped Matt Dillon out several times.
According to his representatives, Reynolds has never been to Dodge City.
The actor will be joing Buck Taylor (Newly O'Brien, 1967-75);
Jess Walton (Patricia, 1973); Lane Bradbury (Merry Florene and others, 1965-69); Bruce Boxleitner (Toby Hogue, 1975); and writer Jim Byrnes (1969-75) who will be coming to Dodge City for Gunsmoke's 60th anniversary celebration during Wild West Fest.
"Having these Gunsmoke celebrities reunite and interact with the fans is a once in a lifetime experience," said Sharon Stroburg, general manager of Boot Hill Casino & Resort, in a press release. "Gunsmoke transcends the generations and continues to resonate with today's television viewers.
"Dodge City is proud to have been the home of the show. It's only natural that we host the celebration here and celebrate this milestone."
Walton has a special connection to Taylor. The actress's character was married to Taylor's character during the 1973 season. Walton has been Jill Abbott on Young and the Restless soap opera for more than 20 years.
While many of the stars know one another, there is few overlaps for these Gunsmoke alum.
"Burt and Buck weren't on at the same time," said Jessica Rabe of Boot Hill Casino & Resort. "They know of each other, but they didn't work together on the show."
Part of the celebration during Wild West Fest will be Gunsmoke Under the Stars at the South Drive In on Friday, Sept. 25; a Gunsmoke Q&A and Meet & Greet on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m.; and a Gunsmoke Banquet at 6 p.m. at Boot Hill Museum.
"It should be fun seeing Burt Reynolds along Front Street," said Boot Hill Museum director Lara Brehm. "We're excited to have all the show's stars visit us."
Brehm laughed when asked if Reynolds would be involved in a shootout at the museum
"No, I don't think so," she said.
Other events included in Wild West Fest include the Kansas Pro Rodeo Association Finals at Roundup Rodeo Arena; the Taste of the West and Beer Fest; a pancake feed; and a Gunsmoke party at Dodge House.
Full schedules for the weekend is available at www.DodgeCityWildWestFest.com.