Wayne foundation to host four-day festival to raise cancer awareness

The third annual Louie and the Duke Classics, a four-day slate of festivities aimed at raising money for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, will kick off Thursday, Nov. 5 and run through Sunday.

The Wayne family formed the cancer foundation in 1985 as a way to honor their father’s memory and continue the battle against the disease.

Wayne had strong ties to Maricopa and western Pinal County, operating a cotton farm and cattle ranch on the outskirts of the city with his partner, Louis Johnson, who also died from cancer.

The 3rd annual festival begins with a four-man golf tournament at the Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort, which will be held from 1-5 p.m. The cost is $100 per person. On Friday, Nov. 6, is the Louie and the Duke Auction and Cowboy Dinner. This dinner and auction, which starts at 5 p.m., will be hosted at The Property Conference Center, 1251 W. Gila Bend Highway, in Casa Grande.

The auction will feature John Wayne memorabilia and other authentic western items.

Also on Friday, the weekend of Team Roping kicks off at the Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds, 512 S. 11 Mile Corner Road, in Casa Grande.

On Saturday, the Pinal County Fairgrounds will be the venue for a special noon BBQ hosted by local farmer and BBQ master Ron Kortsen followed by a “rodeo dance” with entertainment provided by J.W. Brooks and Western Bred.

There will be a kids’ “dummy” roping at 1 p.m. daily, and an ongoing carnival in the parking lot of the rodeo grounds Friday through Sunday.

For more information, call Jim Olson 520-424-3839.

Submitted photo