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LEE PERLMAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
The Last Rodeo Band has played at its last Barn Bash, and Parker Rose is hanging up his shootin’ iron.
Joe Rossi announced last month that he will no longer be producing the Rossi Farm Barn Bash, the annual July feast, festival and dance to benefit Parkrose youth athletics and other activities. The cancellation had been rumored for weeks, but Rossi insists he did not make the final decision to pull the plug until a mid-February meeting with his “posse,” longtime supporters of the event.
“I was expecting to do the event as late as two to three weeks ago,” he told the Memo on February 21. “I finally decided not to. The main reason is, in past years I had my staff here at the farm helping me.” Even last year, after the Rossi family turned over the cultivation of the 25-acre tract at Northeast 122nd Avenue to the Garre family, his old employees were still living nearby while they sought other employment and were willing to pitch in.
“To do it this year would mean hiring people, which would be an added expense,” he said. “Also, I’m going to school now, and I just don’t have time to court the partners who contribute to this thing. Last night I laid it out to the guys. (I) said, ‘This is what it would take,’ and we decided to take a different tack.”
Instead, this year the farm will run seven Movie Nights. Rossi will screen a family-friendly film, “something both kids and parents can enjoy together,” and the community can see it for free. Meanwhile, volunteers from one or more of the youth activities who used to benefit from the Barn Bash, such as Parkrose Youth Football or the Dance Team, will be free to sell refreshments such as hot dogs, cold drinks or popcorn. He will attempt to secure local sponsors to contribute the food and equipment, allowing the kids to keep all their proceeds. “I hope we can generate $1,000 a night, minimum,” Rossi said.
For 10 years the Barn Bash drew large crowds, with the estimates for last year’s attendance running as high as 2,000. Those who came were treated to all-you-can-eat helpings of barbecued chicken, green and potato salad, baked beans and strawberry shortcake. In recent years, the Widmer Brothers Brewing Company contributed kegs of their beverage, available for an additional charge. The Last Rodeo Band played, and those so inclined danced the dance of their choice.
For several years, attendees were also treated to a series of western films, starting with “The Legend of Parker Rose,” produced by Rossi’s friend Tom Mannen and his Turkey Creek Productions. Local community members acted in the film, as did Rossi’s brother, Nick; his father, Aldo, and his daughter, Gabrielle. Rossi himself played Parker Rose, the hero who somehow always manages to triumph over the bad guys with a little help from his friends. Two years ago Mannen gave himself a cowboy wedding at the film showing. Another year Rossi gave the filmmaking over to a Parkrose High School class.
“I’m really sad about not doing the Barn Bash after 10 years, but I wanted to end it on a good note, and last year was nice,” Rossi said.
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