The Booth Western Art Museum is turning five, and everyone is invited to the party! Members and guests will enjoy a day of fun and celebration on August 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be continuous entertainment, art activities for children, special guests in the galleries, a hat decorating contest, and much more.

"It hardly seems possible the Museum has been open for five years, but as they say, 'times flies when you're having fun,'" said Seth Hopkins, Booth Museum Executive Director. "We're excited to share this milestone with our volunteers, members and the community."

As part of the Birthday Celebration, the museum has planned a number of activities to entertain visitors of all ages. Throughout the day in the Booth Theatre, KG and the Ranger and the Booth Museum's own Doc Stovall will perform Western music and cowboy poetry. Plus, visitors will have the opportunity to view a special 5-year look at the history of the Booth Museum in video and photographs.

The smooth harmony of KG and the Ranger brings back memories of the Sons Of The Pioneers, Gene Autry and other cowboy stars of the silver screen. The Ranger Rick also twirls his lariat in a fascinating display of trick rope spinning. Doc Stovall is Georgia's Official Cowboy Balladeer.

During the event guests will be able to walk through the galleries and watch the artwork come to life. Costumed actors will depict various people featured in paintings and sculpture, telling their stories to visitors in first person narratives. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Molly Goodnight, Abigail Adams, a Plains Indian, a Civil War Soldier, and others.

Other family activities planned for the celebration include free pony rides and hands-on art activities for children. Visitors will also have the opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Museums 40,000 square foot expansion currently under construction.

The Booth Museum's Birthday Celebration also provides the opportunity win a very special piece of original art by Arizona artist Harley Brown. Created during a live demonstration for Booth members during a recent trip to Arizona, the original pastel portrait depicts a Hispanic cowboy. Raffle tickets are available for $10 each and are available now through August 23 by calling or visiting the museum. The winner will also receive a DVD of Harley Brown creating the sketch and a signed copy of "Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist." Proceeds from the raffle will support the Booth Museums' education programs.

The Museum also invites party guests to demonstrate their style and creativity in the Booth Museum's Cowboy Hat Decorating Contest. Contestants will decorate a cowboy hat, bring it to the Booth on August 23 and have the chance to win a fabulous prize. Prizes will be awarded to adults and children at 3:00 pm in the Booth Theatre. Visit www.boothmuseum.org/birthday.htm for Cowboy Hat Decorating Guidelines.

Admission to the Booth Museum's Birthday Celebration is free for Booth Museum members. General admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and over, $5 for students, and free for active military with I.D. and children 12 and under. For more information on the Booth Museum visit www.boothmuseum.org or call 770-387-1300.

About Booth Western Art Museum

The Booth Western Art Museum is an 80,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville, Georgia, where guests are invited to explore the American West through contemporary Western artwork. The Museum also houses a Presidential Gallery, Civil War art gallery, and Sagebrush Ranch. Open since August 2003, the Booth Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Southeast and is the second largest art museum in the state of Georgia. To learn more about the Booth Western Art Museum, visit www.boothmuseum.org.