By; Michelle Friesen Herald-News
Two cowboys stand transfixed on their target,trembling fingers nearly grazing the six-shooter in their holsters. In the
next instant, the crack of a shot resounds,and the fastest gunslinger is declared victor.
Dayton may not be the usual scene for a western showdown, but this year, Strawberry Festival – goers can enjoy
the thrill of a quick draw. The Southeast Tennessee Fast Draw Club is hosting a shootout at Point Park, and spectators are invited to witness the two-day event May 16 & 17.
“It’s an attraction that will add to the festival,”said Kerry Nabors, chairman of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival Committee. “It’s certainly something that from reputation has drawn people’s interest.”
Only members of the fast draw association can participate in the event, according to Adolf Spiegelhalter, who plans to compete in May.
Spiegelhalter and his wife, Vicki, moved to Dayton in 2000 and since then have been engrossed in what is known as the fastest timed sport in the world.
“It keeps me alert,” Adolf said.
Adolf got into the sport because of his mentor Jim Hall, who has a reputation as one of the fastest gunmen in the area. But Hall isn’t the only local shooter the couple has befriended – nearly 10 other Rhea County sportsmen compete with them.
“You have a fellowship of other shooters,” said Vicki.
The couple enters up to six competitions each year in the Southeast. Adolf noted that even though his wife started the sport after he did, she often outdraws him.
“I shot one or two times before I competed,” said Vicki.
The Strawberry Festival Shootout will mirror many of the Spiegelhalter’s competitions.
The contest will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday and will break for the Strawberry festival parade before resuming in the afternoon. Sunday’s event will begin at 9 am.
In a typical round, two or four shooters dressed in western garb will stand at a measured distance from the targets near Richland Creek.
Each target displays a timed light that switches on to signal shooters to draw and fire their weapons. The timer will calculate, down the hundredths of a second, who hit his target first.
The quick draw normally spans a fraction of a second, he said. “A good shooter will get a quarter – to one – third second,”said Newman. “ You have to be not only fast, but also acute.”
During every round, gunslingers will have the opportunity to fire five shots on average.
“It’s an up and down sport,” said Adolf. “Some are very good shooters, but that doesn’t mean they are going to do
well.”
Fast draws are not new to the festival, but several years have passed since the last duel, which was held at Rhea county Courthouse. According to city manage Frank Welch; the first go-around alarmed a lot of people because it took place in downtown Dayton.
“Shots fired from the sheriff’s department tend to scare people,” laughed Dayton City Councilman, Billy Graham.
Newman presented this year’s event to the city council on Monday, saying that the new location at Point
Park’s two covered pavilions would ensure added safety.
Shooters will not use live ammo. In addition, safety officers will monitor each gunman.
Dayton Police Chief Chris Sneed agreed with Newman.
“Most of the shooters are as trained as we are with a weapon, so I don’t think there’s going to be a safety
issue,” he said.
Two cowboys stand transfixed on their target,trembling fingers nearly grazing the six-shooter in their holsters. In the
next instant, the crack of a shot resounds,and the fastest gunslinger is declared victor.
Dayton may not be the usual scene for a western showdown, but this year, Strawberry Festival – goers can enjoy
the thrill of a quick draw. The Southeast Tennessee Fast Draw Club is hosting a shootout at Point Park, and spectators are invited to witness the two-day event May 16 & 17.
“It’s an attraction that will add to the festival,”said Kerry Nabors, chairman of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival Committee. “It’s certainly something that from reputation has drawn people’s interest.”
Only members of the fast draw association can participate in the event, according to Adolf Spiegelhalter, who plans to compete in May.
Spiegelhalter and his wife, Vicki, moved to Dayton in 2000 and since then have been engrossed in what is known as the fastest timed sport in the world.
“It keeps me alert,” Adolf said.
Adolf got into the sport because of his mentor Jim Hall, who has a reputation as one of the fastest gunmen in the area. But Hall isn’t the only local shooter the couple has befriended – nearly 10 other Rhea County sportsmen compete with them.
“You have a fellowship of other shooters,” said Vicki.
The couple enters up to six competitions each year in the Southeast. Adolf noted that even though his wife started the sport after he did, she often outdraws him.
“I shot one or two times before I competed,” said Vicki.
The Strawberry Festival Shootout will mirror many of the Spiegelhalter’s competitions.
The contest will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday and will break for the Strawberry festival parade before resuming in the afternoon. Sunday’s event will begin at 9 am.
In a typical round, two or four shooters dressed in western garb will stand at a measured distance from the targets near Richland Creek.
Each target displays a timed light that switches on to signal shooters to draw and fire their weapons. The timer will calculate, down the hundredths of a second, who hit his target first.
The quick draw normally spans a fraction of a second, he said. “A good shooter will get a quarter – to one – third second,”said Newman. “ You have to be not only fast, but also acute.”
During every round, gunslingers will have the opportunity to fire five shots on average.
“It’s an up and down sport,” said Adolf. “Some are very good shooters, but that doesn’t mean they are going to do
well.”
Fast draws are not new to the festival, but several years have passed since the last duel, which was held at Rhea county Courthouse. According to city manage Frank Welch; the first go-around alarmed a lot of people because it took place in downtown Dayton.
“Shots fired from the sheriff’s department tend to scare people,” laughed Dayton City Councilman, Billy Graham.
Newman presented this year’s event to the city council on Monday, saying that the new location at Point
Park’s two covered pavilions would ensure added safety.
Shooters will not use live ammo. In addition, safety officers will monitor each gunman.
Dayton Police Chief Chris Sneed agreed with Newman.
“Most of the shooters are as trained as we are with a weapon, so I don’t think there’s going to be a safety
issue,” he said.
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