By JESSE BERTEL
Across the Street

Put on your dancing boots and bring your friends, family and neighbors to the Phippen Museum for fun, food and entertainment. The Phippen Museum, located at 4701 Highway 89 N., Prescott, is holding its 16th Fall Gathering Barbecue at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

The event features a delicious ranch-style dinner by Cooper’s BBQ Co. and live Western entertainment from the High Desert Ride Band.

According to Edd Kellerman, Phippen Museum executive director, this commemorative event pays tribute to the museum’s roots and connection to the surrounding ranching community.

“The Phippen Museum’s annual Fall Gathering not only commemorates our Grand Opening in 1984, but it also ties our rich ranching and rodeo heritage to the great art of the American West,” Kellerman said. “Many local ranching families gathered at the Opening in tribute to George Phippen’s inspirational art and character and burned their brands into the Museum’s porch beams as a sign of their enthusiastic support for the Phippen Museum.”

As part of the tradition, the Phippen will also hold a special induction ceremony for their newest members of the Arizona Rancher & Cowboy Hall of Fame. The Arizona Rancher & Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Bill & Marion Gary Heritage Gallery was established in 2009 to honor Arizona’s most prestigious ranchers and rodeo cowboys.

This year’s inductees are local brothers Art, Jim and Joe Savoini, former owners of the Coyote Ranch, Savoini Cattle Company, Prescott Animal Hospital, and Savoini’s Tack & Feed. They are the sons of Costantino Savoini who immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was 16 and eventually established with his family a local dairy farm, the Hassayampa Market, and the ’Big House’ at the entrance to Prescott on White Spar Road.

“In 1970 Art and Jim qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City and together they won many ropings and rodeos,” Kellerman said. “Art passed away at 84 years old on July 28, 2022, and Joe passed at 87 on March 8, 2013. Jim still lives here in Prescott.”

Kellerman added that the Fall Gathering gives members and their guests an opportunity to enjoy the Museum’s art in a unique setting with live music and food.

“The event itself is just a great evening of fun, food, friendship and a lot of outstanding fine art, bringing together new members and guests, and locals who have been in the area for generations,” Kellerman said.

Admission is $35 for Museum members and $45 for guests. Children 8 and under are admitted free. This popular event sells out fast, so reservations are required.

For additional information on this exhibition or other events at the Museum, call (928)778-1385, or visit www.phippenartmuseum.org.

Jesse Bertel is a reporter/videographer for the Prescott News Network. Follow him on Twitter @ JesseBertel, email him at jbertel@prescottaz.com, or call 928-445-3333, ext. 2043.