Country Pickin’ Tunes Out Political Messages : Wachs-Sponsored ‘Scene’ Draws 50,000 Fans to Orderly Western Hoedown

The South seemed to rise again Saturday at Hansen Dam on the first day of the Los Angeles Country Scene Festival.

An estimated 50,000 people--far fewer than officials had hoped for--feasted on barbecued ribs and lip-scalding chili, waved Confederate flags, bought arts and crafts, played carnival games and listened to a lot of pickin’ and grinnin’ at the free San Fernando Valley outdoor hoedown.

Private security guards searched handbags and purses at the entrances, and at least 130 officers on foot and horseback kept watch. Police wanted to make sure that the festival did not turn out like last year’s Street Scene in downtown Los Angeles, which was marred by violence.

Their efforts were apparently successful. Only one arrest was made during the day but, according to police, the man was wanted in an earlier crime. Police ejected three to four people for drunkenness and refused to allow about 12 suspected gang members from entering the festival, according to Foothill Division Capt. Arthur Sjoquist.

“I’ve been working at a lot of events for the last 24 years, and this is by far the best one,” said Sjoquist. “Everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying themselves.”

City Councilman Joel Wachs, who wore a 10-gallon hat, Levis and new cowboy boots, grinned as he looked over the crowd, composed mostly of families.

“This is just fantastic,” Wachs said. “This is the biggest event the San Fernando Valley has ever seen. We’re going to make it an annual event. Up to now, there’s been no real celebration of country music in this city. It’s American culture.”

The event was criticized last week as a “city-financed campaign party” for Wachs, who co-sponsored it. But politics played merely a passive part in the festival: Many in the crowd wore Joel Wachs buttons, and banners emblazoned with “Welcome to Joel Wachs’ L.A. Country Scene ‘87” were visible in front of the five stages and above the festival grounds.

The country spirit seemed to fill everyone, including Mayor Tom Bradley, who wore a western shirt and string tie. Beach shorts and sandals were as scarce as the dialogue in a Clint Eastwood Western. Cowboy hats, jeans and boots were the uniform of the day.

“I think this is a fabulous success,” Bradley said. “I supported this from the outset, and it turned out to be a great idea.”

However, despite promotion and advertisements all week, the first day of the two-day festival drew far fewer than the 100,000 to 200,000 people that had been expected. Sjoquist said more people will probably turn out for today’s show to see stars like Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Ricky Scaggs and Mel Tillis.

Five stages, with names like the Cactus Stage and the Tumble Weed Stage, were filled with continuous entertainment from bands famous and not so famous.

Most of the crowd seemed to come for superstar Charley Pride, who performed a rousing mid-afternoon set.

“I’ve been waiting 20 years to see him,” said Gary Deppeal, 36, of Duarte, who clutched the wire fence in front of the stage as he watched Pride. “I’d never thought I’d see him this close. He’s No. 1.”

Off in the distance, away from the crowd, Donna Segall, 45, and her fiance, Jerry Reynolds, 47, of Simi Valley, danced the two-step on the grass.

“This is about the best thing we’ve ever seen,” Reynolds said.