The Pickin' on the Plains Festival

09/29/2026

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-kelley-after-rogers-passing?lid=8eftvstbqbix&utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=t_email-welcome-en-US

We are all heartbroken to hear of the sudden passing of our dear friend, Roger Bell on… Judy Danley needs your support for Support Kelley After Rogers Passing

09/26/2026

Our hearts are again saddened by the loss of another wonderful friend and tremendous force at the festival. Roger Bell, of Cotapaxi, CO, passed away unexpectedly last week following a short illness. He had just attended the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS and was blessed to get to spend time with all of his children and grandchildren in the past month. Roger has been attending Pickin' on the Plains since just a few years after its inception, and immediately loaned a hand with setup and tear-down, as well as sound. He was a huge asset in serving as camp host and troubleshooting whenever needed. Roger will be greatly missed for all his efforts, but mostly as a dear friend who was greatly loved. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with his sweet family.
https://www.smithfamilymortuaries.com/obituaries/roger-bell
A "GoFundMe" page has been established to help the family with medical and funeral expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-kelley-after-rogers-passing

08/28/2026

We've lost another dear friend and valuable partner for Pickin' on the Plains. Julie Saddler, who was Director of the Colby Convention & Visitors Bureau until the past couple years, was, for many, their first connection to the festival. Julie's was the friendly voice on the phone who took their camping reservations, helped them find hotels, or reserved their tickets. She loved everything about the festival and helped with the potluck and spent her entire weekend manning the CVB/POP Information Booth where she also answered festival questions, signed folks up for open stage, sold festival merchandise and was a the main coordinator for the event.

Julie's willingness to always help and kind heart will be truly missed, as will her presence at the festival. She was a driving force in so many ways. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to her family. Thanks, Julie, for everything through the years. Go rest high in the beautiful homeplace Jesus has prepared for you.

View Julie Ann Saddler's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/04/2026

Thanks so much to our dear friend Gregg Thompson/ Rocking Chair Woodcarving of Wichita for donating his patriotic 250th commemorative Pickin' on the Plains piece, and congrats to his, and our good friend, Amydell Burns of Mulvane, for winning it!

07/04/2026

Happy Birthday, USA!! We have some wonderful and VERY TALENTED friends who donated handcrafted items as raffles for the festival this year! A couple of them paid tribute to America's 250th. Pictured is Roma Sattler of Colorado, accepting Marshal Allen Bailey's original acrylic painting "For Spacious Skies", for her husband Danny. Thank you so much for another amazing painting, Marshal! Also, thanks to everyone who purchased chances on the items, which brought in over $1,700 for the festival. Congratulations, Danny on winning this amazing piece of art!!

06/22/2026

A few shots from this year's great fest, thanks to Cynthia Stamer of Shooting Stars Magazine!

06/22/2026

06/22/2026

NewFound Road under the tent at the Sunday Gospel Show. What fun for the crowd to be up close!

06/22/2026

Emcees, Marshal Allen Bailey and Cowgirl Janey getting ready for the Sunday Gospel Show under the tent.