Out west (of Winston) you’ll find ‘Little Dixie’ beckoning

Terry Young, visiting from Detroit, Mich, watches as Nick Hord, grandson of Ladonna and Stacey Wells, and the top wrangler at Little Dixie Western Town, ambles down Main Street.

Little Dixie, USA, is looking for gunslingers.

The outdoor flea market and western town is the creation of Ladonna and Stacey Wells. It is located in the back pasture of their 14 acre WW Ranch which borders highways 6 and I-35, about three miles north of the Winston turnoff.

The Wells originally intended to put up a few storage buildings. Instead, they built a western town complete with a general store, bank, blacksmith shop, barbershop and bunkhouse. The building fronts are designed to be dedicated to the memories of family members.

“We originally built the town for our grandkids,” says Ladonna. “We wanted them to have a safe place to play. And we wanted to keep them here — so we can monopolize them. Our friends kept telling us we should open the place and let people come in. We’re moving toward my husband’s retirement. It will be a business for us and a hobby.”

Stacey works at Ford in Claycomo and will retire the middle of next summer. Ladonna worked as an orthodontist technician and was licensed in California. In 1994, she returned to Missouri, where she was born and raised.

During the wild west re-enactments, children are invited to dress up in their cowboy and Indian outfits and mosey on into town. The Wells grandchildren have formed the Sugar Plum Gang and are scouting for quick draws to help them hold up the town bank. Re-enactments include shoot outs on Main Street. Legends like Doc Holiday and Ringo will challenge them to a draw.

“Sometimes even the barber — our pastor — gets shot,” says Ladonna.

There are two permanent shops in Little Dixie. Belle La’donn features leather coats, chaps, motorcycle jackets, cowboy dusters and Bailey hats. Close Outs and Collectibles has porcelain collector dolls, knives, swords, flags and replica cap guns — which are made to look like old civil war muskets and are popular with re-enactors.

Next year, the flea market will start in time for vendors to make out their summer schedule and Ladonna expects it to be a lot busier: “We’ve lost a little business because we insist everything be family oriented, but that’s okay. No alcohol, no adult materials.”

There is a campground type area for vendors with electric hookups. Annie’s Bathhouse has showers and hot water. The bunk house is available for rent. It sleeps between eight to 12.

Youth groups and non-profit organizations receive special consideration and are invited to camp out. There is a 2½ acre lake for those who want to fish. Next year, paddle boats may be added.

Along with the flea market beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the summer weekend schedule includes Show & Shine! on Aug. 16. Auto clubs are invited.

There will be a free gospel concert at 2 p.m. on Aug. 17, with “Hometown Harmony” of Lathrop. Kids can enjoy the “Dixie Rain” to beat off the heat.

Lil’ Wranglers free fishin’ tournament will be held Aug. 30. Children should bring their bait and pole. Also on Aug. 30, there will be a Big, Beautiful Baby contest held for ages 18 to 80, with a street dance at 6 p.m.

Aug. 31 will feature a horseshoe pitchin’ contest and a local talent contest at 5 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 1, there will be water balloon fights and a kickball tournament. For more information, see the home page at http:joinme.net/wwranch.

The Western Town and Flea Market will close after Labor Day this year so the Wells can get started on next year’s improvements. They plan to have cabins built by next year which will include facilities for handicapped and disabled children.

A concession stand on site helps to cover some of the cost. Admission and parking are free. “There’s a bunch of family fun going on and it’s all free,” said Ladonna.