The Maverick Thanksgiving Ranch Party – Saturday November 26th

Thanksgiving is the only American tradition that has so far escaped complete commercialisation. Not surprisingly, in the States the big stores see it as yet another sales opportunity but it is mainly celebrated by families coming together for a feast of turkey and pumpkin pie, in a mood of quiet reflection on their own lives and those less fortunate.

This seemed to me a great excuse to bring the Maverick family together for a party, to eat turkey twizzlers or some variant thereof and raise a glass, not to give thanks to the Indians for their corn as the pilgrims did, but to the cowboys and cowgirls that comprise the Maverick team and community. Thus the Maverick Thanksgiving Ranch Party was born.

Clearly we need an iconic performer to heat up the atmosphere and blow away those autum leaves – who better to ride back into town and kick open the saloon doors than Hank Wangford?  The newly configured Hallelujah Trails – our good friends Jeremy and Anna – will join the posse, along with Jose and the Vagaband, festival favourites who will debut their new acoustic, unplugged format.

Our main man Mick will be riding for the brand, coming out of winter hibernation to build stages, hang festoons and generally tart the place up and having departed the White Horse, landlord, chef and all round bon viveur Tim Wood has been recruited to man the chuck wagon. Banish any idea of the boring burger or hopeless hot dog from your mind as nothing could be further from our menu. Expect some quirky take on the Thanksgiving staples with something special for the veggies as well.

Prepare to leave your winter blues somewhere between Halloween and Christmas and join us for the first Maverick Thanksgiving Ranch Party.

Email me at maverickfestival@yahoo.co.uk and you will be the first to know when tickets are available.