ND Cowboy Hall of Fame - Archived Articles

Nov. 19, 2004, press release

FOR RELEASE For Additional Information

November 19, 2004 Darrell Dorgan 250-1833

---NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2005 HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS---

The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Center of Western Heritage and Cultures: Native American, Ranching and Rodeo is now accepting nominations for the Hall of Fame Hall of Honorees for 2004. More than seventy individuals, four events, three-famed rodeo bucking horses, and six ranches have been inducted in the past six years. In 2005, six individuals will be inducted.

NDCHF Executive Director Darrell Dorgan says nominations will be accepted until January 14, 2005, in the following categories: Pre-1940 Ranching; Modern-era Ranching; Pre-1940 Rodeo; Modern-era Rodeo, Rodeo Producers and Great Westerners Division. There will be two inductees from the Pre-1940 Ranching and Pre-1940 Rodeo Divisions and one each from the Modern-era Ranching, Modern-era Rodeo, Rodeo Producer and Great Westerner Divisions.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame Hall of Honorees are made through the group's 200 Trustees from across the state. Dorgan says, "If you have someone you want nominated for possible selection to the Hall of Fame, contact a local Trustee. They have the forms necessary to begin the information gathering process.

Once nominations are made, they are screened by Trustees. The Trustees will meet at the Hall of Fame’s annual meeting February 25 and 26 at the Seven Seas in Mandan. The nominees selected will be put on the 2005 ballot. Ballots will be mailed to Trustees in May 2005 and the results announced in July. The six selected to join the 75 current inductees will be formally inducted in ceremonies in Medora and Sentinel Butte on Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7.

Work on the $3 million, 15,000-square-foot Hall of Fame began in Medora in April. Once complete, an adjoining 5,000-sqaure foot patio will be used for meetings, receptions, entertainment and cultural events. The project is nearly closed in and, if the weather cooperates, and work proceeds on schedule, plans call for a grand opening Memorial Day weekend 2005.

Fundraising for the project continues, and Dorgan says the Hall of Fame hopes to raise an additional $500,000 prior to the opening in 2005. Dorgan notes, "We are now working with banks, foundations and a number of individuals in an effort to have all the money needed to have the project paid for before it opens."

Work on the NDCHF began with a Dickinson organizational meeting 7 years ago. More than 1,200 people from across the country have become charter and annual members. Contributions for the project may be sent to The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1110 College Drive #216, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501.

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Please Note: Electronic version of press release and Cowboy Hall of Fame photos available on website www.northdakotacowboy.com.

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