Whoop! Whistle! Shout and Stomp!

       by Joella Oldfield 

     Picture the Whooping! Whistling! Shouting! and Stomping! that went on as 605 guests were seated for a tribute dinner for Fred Oldfield's 90th Birthday. The Rockin HW, Donn Allard & Brenda Nowlin provided music throughout the Expo Hall while folks enjoyed a Retrospect of Fred's work - showcasing paintings from every decade from the 1930's through 2008.
    The LeMay Car Museum provided a 1934 Chevy Coupe for Fred's entrance. (Fred's first car was a '34 Chevy Coupe) The Host for the evening was KMPS' Ichabod Caine. He held and entertained the crowd throughout the night.
    Jose Landrie gave a traditional Indian blessing before the meal was served. The dinner was an incredible combination of talents and flavors of the Cafe Pacific Catering and GG's Catering with salmon provided by the Puyallup Fisheries Department.
    Pastor Joe Miller conducted a sing along while the crowd finished dinner and Donn Allard sang the "American Cowboy" which he wrote in honor of Fred. Brakeman Bill, NW TV icon was a special guest who presented Fred with his Birthday Cake. Retired Puyallup Fire Inspector, Gary Turner ran to the stage to extinguish the flames!
    The Puyallup Fire Department provided their antique Fire Truck for display.Joni Harms, a frequent guest of the Grand Ole Opry, and who has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, was the featured musical entertainer for the evening.
    The stage also welcomed Tim Fobes of Eatonville with his beautiful rendition of 40's songs - songs very important to Fred and his wife Alice. Judy Fairley & Mavis Willson sang Fred's favorite tune - Ghost Riders in the Sky. Granville Horrey from the London stage was one of the guests doing a skit on the "Red Coats" returning.
    Stuart Anderson of Black Angus Fame roasted Fred in grand style. Senators Jim Kastama and Marilyn Rasmussen were there to share good wishes and Proclamations along with Tacoma City Councilmember Tim Farrell and Puyallup City Councilmember Kathy Turner. The Puyallup Fair Board made a special presentation of an endowment to fund the Fred Oldfield Art Scholarship into perpetuity.
    Chris Merklinger, of Ohio, shared Moments of Friendship with Fred and Gary Kerby of Montana shared his reflections of Fred as his art mentor.Tributes were also given by the Toppenish Mural Society, The Ellensburg Clymer Museum and the Ellensburg Western Art Association. Mike Whitaker recited a poem he wrote for Fred "A Painter Passing Through."
    The evening was highlighted by Testimonials of painting with Fred by two of his art students, Lola Kraus-Lucas, age 11, and Macrae Salisbury, age 12, as well as his Great Granddaughter Sophie Nevin, age 12.
     A hilarious roast by Dorothy Wilhelm, humorist, columnist and TV show host was the catalyst to calling Fred on stage. Fred's Reflections and Rebuttals brought the house down and were a terrific example of the man, his humor and his passion for life! Fred was truly humbled by the honor bestowed upon him throughout the evening events!
 

Stuart Anderson waits to begin "roasting" Fred.

Fred laughs and applauds during the roast.

"Brakeman Bill" McLain

  Ice Sculpture by Studio Ice in Puyallup. Photo by Edwinna Van Eaton

Friends and fans of Fred's paintings tour the center and enjoy the famous Oldfield art works. Photo by Edwinna Van Eaton