Water buffalo show approved at equestrian center

Alachua County commissioners voted unanimously on June 2 to allow a water buffalo performance at the county’s Agriculture and Equestrian Center in Newberry, clearing the way for a July 25 stop by “Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival.” The event had required county approval because it involves a public exhibition of the animals, according to local coverage of the meeting. Organizer listings show the Newberry performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the county venue, with a second show planned the night before in Williston. ### What exactly did county commissioners approve? Alachua County commissioners approved the show for public exhibition at the Agriculture and Equestrian Center, a county-owned venue at 23100 W. Newberry Road in Newberry. Local reports said the vote was unanimous and came after event representatives addressed questions about the animals and the performance. (msn.com) The county’s meetings page says regular Board of County Commissioners agendas and backup materials are posted ahead of scheduled meetings, and the county announced two special commission meetings for June 2 at the administration building in Gainesville. Search results reviewed for this story did not surface a county agenda item text naming the water buffalo show, but the county’s June 2 meeting notice confirms commissioners were in session that day. (msn.com) ### When and where are the performances? Eventbrite listings posted by Gainesville Circus Center show two dates for “Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival.” The first is Friday, July 24, at Two Hawk Equestrian Center in Williston. The second is Saturday, July 25, at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center in Newberry. Both listings show a 7 p.m. start. (alachuacounty.us) Visit Gainesville also lists the July 25 Newberry performance and describes it as an evening of storytelling, live entertainment and historical performances inspired by the American frontier. Gainesville Circus Center’s own upcoming-events page carries the same July 24 and July 25 dates and says the program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Gainesville/Alachua County and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County. (eventbrite.com) ### Who is putting on “Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival”? Gainesville Circus Center is named as the organizer on the Eventbrite pages for both performances. The group’s event listings say the show will feature stories and live performances built around a Wild West theme and invite attendees to “meet cowboys, Native American artists, and more.” Corey Cheval’s website also advertises the July 24 and July 25 dates and points buyers to separate ticket links for Williston and Newberry. (visitgainesville.com) That site describes the performances as 7 p.m. shows and repeats the posted ticket structure. ### What do the public listings say about tickets and attendance? Eventbrite says early-bird tickets are priced at $18 until July 9, while general admission is $25. The listings also say children 12 and under are free and that seniors, military members, teachers and first responders can buy $18 tickets. (eventbrite.com) The same listings say refunds are available up to seven days before the event and note free parking. (coreycheval.com) Gainesville Circus Center’s events page repeats the July pricing and says free children’s tickets must be reserved with an adult purchase for its shows. ### Why did the animal component draw county review? WCJB’s report said organizers told commissioners the water buffalo involved are calm and experienced performers, a point raised as the county considered whether to allow the exhibition at its equestrian center. (eventbrite.com) The station’s account did not indicate any dissenting votes, and the available public event pages continued to market the July 25 Newberry show after the meeting. July 24 and July 25 are the next dates tied to the production, with Gainesville Circus Center continuing to sell tickets for the Williston and Newberry performances through its online event pages. (eventbrite.com) (msn.com)