Hundreds of One-Eyed Rooster Cogburns at Fort Smith's True Gritapalooza

Fort Smith, Arkansas is the setting and inspiration for True Grit, so on the eve of the new Coen Brothers' release, more than 500 Rooster Cogburns showed up at the Fort Smith National Historic Site's gallows to challenge Lucky Ned Pepper in True Grit's final showdown. Lucky Ned was played by Professional Bull Riders Hall of Famer Denny Flynn, and the crowd was led by Mayor-Elect Sandy Sanders as the Chief Rooster. Men, women and kids of all ages sported eye patches and Marshals badges to turn themselves into Rooster, and dozens arrived in full costume. Our apologies to John Wayne and Jeff Bridges, and to author Charles Portis--this tribute was done out of love for the material! Fort Smith LOVES True Grit!

Fort Smith is also the future site of the national U.S. Marshals Museum--www.usmarshalsmuseum.com--honoring the real Marshals that inspired the character of Rooster Cogburn.

For more videos and footage about True Gritapalooza events, the real true Wild West stories of Fort Smith, and things to do here, see: www.facebook.com/Gritapalooza, www.fortsmith.org, and the Fort Smith National Historic Site's website www.nps.gov/fosm.

Category:

Entertainment

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• True
• Grit;
• Fort
• Smith;
• Rooster
• Cogburn;
• Ft.
• Smith
• National
• Historic
• Site;
• Arkansas;
• Jeff
• Bridges;
• John
• Wayne;
• Lucky
• Ned
• Pepper;
• Gritapalooza;
• Gallows;
• Coen
• Brothers;
• Roosters
• by
• the
• Dozen;

[xoxokimberly1]

That's hilarious. In the best way possible.

[Flannery]

Love this, it was so much fun! Even at the opening last night I heard some people who were there saying the lines with Rooster in the theater. Hooray, Fort Smith!