Exactly 15 years ago, a small community event called the Wild West Festival got its start.

Committee member Bob Swift, who's been a volunteer with the festival since 1994, remembers sitting on a hay bale, listening to the event's first concert -- country singer Collin Raye.

"The biggest thing that's changed is the facility," Swift said. "The first year, people sat on hay bales and watched on a small stage. It was kind of unique, because their whole theme was centered around the Wild West."

Talent also has evolved through the years. The Wild West Fest has seen big-name country and rock artists come and go. Kansas, 38 Special, the Charlie Daniels Band and Uncle Kracker are a few of the many acts that resulted in capacity crowds.

Another big change has been the level of volunteerism. Swift estimates there were about a dozen volunteers when the event started 15 years ago.

Their level of dedication also has increased. As the festival continued to prosper, volunteers have established equity in the community, such as construction of shelter houses in Municipal Park.

Swift was quick to note that, besides some financial contribution, most of that has been sweat equity.

"Today, it's more in order to make this work, they realize we've got to put more sweat into it," Swift said.

This week is no exception. Many volunteers take vacation time from work to spend their days at the park, working, sweating and gearing up for the big events.

The committee meets monthly all year but begins meeting every week the month prior to the festival. And when the holiday week rolls around, they see each other morning, noon and night.

"We are family this week," Swift said.

* KALEY CONNER, HDN