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| Celebrate Steve McQueen Days - March 24 & 25, 2007. | |
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Slater, Missouri is throwing a special birthday party for Steve McQueen this spring. The actor, box-office champion and icon of cool will be honored by civic and business officials from his hometown with a special weekend festival to celebrate his life and commemorate what would have been his 77th birthday. McQueen was born on March 24, 1930 in Beech Grove, Indiana but moved to Slater when he was an infant and remained there for most of the next decade. The Slater Chamber of Commerce and the City of Slater, Missouri will host the 2007 Steve McQueen Days on March 24 and 25 with a slate of events honoring the superstar. “The city of Slater decided it was time to recognize the amazing accomplishments of a man who spent his early years in our community and had a lasting impact on the history of film and popular culture,” said Mayor Steve Allegri. Events are still in the planning stages, but organizers say the festival will include a film retrospective, a motorcycle ride, an antique car show, a panel discussion and a visit of McQueen's old haunts, including his boyhood home and the one-room schoolhouse where he was educated. Barbara McQueen, the actor's widow, will also take part in a special sign unveiling and as well as sign copies of her new book, Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. |
| McQueen, who was a worldwide box-office champion in the '60s and '70s, starred in blockbuster films such as
The Great Escape, Bullitt, The Thomas Crown Affair, Papillon and The Sand
Pebbles, which garnered him an Academy Award nomination for best actor. McQueen was the highest paid actor
in the world at the time of his death in November 1980. McQueen's film legacy as “The King of Cool” as well as his passion for motor sports and aviation, have elevated him to the same status of other fallen screen idols such as James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. The McQueen name is magic to both baby boomers and to a new generation of hipsters young enough to be his grandchildren. The actor's “anti-hero” persona and hell-bent-for-leather take on life has been the subject of approximately 20 books and 10 documentaries. Even posthumously, McQueen remains one of the highest paid iconic stars. His image and likeness has been used by more than 30 companies to sell various products such as cars, motorcycles, vodka, blue jeans, watches, jackets, T-shirts, sunglasses and video games. Founded in 1878, Slater is located in central Missouri in Saline County and has approximately 2,100 residents. For more information about the 2007 Steve McQueen Days, call Dan Viets at (573) 819-2669 or go to www.cityofslater.com or e-mail info@cityofslater.com. |
UPDATE Full McQueen Days Agenda Below March 23 - 25, 2007 Slater, Missouri
The 'Route 66 Vintage Iron Museum' of Miami, OK will be bringing
two of Steve McQueen's Motorcycles to Slater!! One is a Husqvarna 400, believed
to be the one Steve is riding on the Sports Illustrated cover. The other is a
1949 Indian Arrow. Schedule of Events Friday March 23 Dinner at Maxine's Tea House There will be about 40 invited guests, including Barbara McQueen and other dignitaries. 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Social Hour 7:00 p.m. Dinner Only 50 Tickets will be available to the general public. Tickets - $25.00 Proceeds will benefit 'Boys Republic'. Boys Republic is a non-profit organization that helps at-risk and trouble youths. It was one of Steve McQueen's favorite charities. Saturday March 24 Activities will be taking place throughout Slater. Sites include: Downtown, Slater Youth Center, Old Orearville School, School Auditorium. Bus tours will be running all day to sites relating to Steve's boyhood and will include the Thompson Home (Steve's childhood home), Orearville School Site, various locations in Slater, Bank & Depot. 9:00 a.m. - Tour bus will be departing every hour. 10:00 a.m. - Sign Unveiling @ Slater Entrance Sign - Barbara McQueen & Mayor Dr. Stephen K. Allegri D.C. DOWNTOWN ACTIVITIES 10:30 a.m. - Car & Motorcycle Display Set-Up on Main Street. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - McQueen Memorabilia @ Slater City Hall. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Barb McQueen Book Signing - Slater Main St. News. NOTE: Merchants throughout Slater will be having holding their annual 'Spring Fling'! Look for specials and sales throughout town. Bear Creek Blues Festival Committee will be selling concessions (hot dogs, drinks, etc.) Lion's Club will have a concession stand offering BBQ & Drinks! 'Fletcher's One Man Band' will perform from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Slater General Store will be hosting a Fishing Display. YOUTH CENTER ACTIVITIES 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Documentary's. 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. - Program/Discussion - Loren Janes - (Steve's stunt double) 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Program/Discussion - Pat Johnson (Steve's trainer & best friend) 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Documentary's/Discussion with Marshall Terrill & others. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Program/Discussion - Loren Janes 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Program/Discussion - Pat Johnson 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. -Documentary's/Discussion with Marshall Terrill & others. OLD OREARVILLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (Front Street) 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Films of McQueen's Short Works & Documentary's SLATER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Movie - "The Rievers" 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - FFA Potato Bar Supper (In School Cafeteria) & Memorabilia Auction 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Movie - "Bullit" NOTE: Pep Club will be selling concessions at school during movies. SLATER AIRPORT 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Biplane @ Slater Airport Sunday March 25 Local Churches will be holding their usual Sunday Worship Services. For more information contact us and we will be happy to provide specific information. YOUTH CENTER ACTIVITIES 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Closing Program. Discussion with local & visiting celebrities, local acquaintances. Recognition and 'Thank You's' will be given to those that have participated and assisted in this special event. FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC |