Dr. Wendell Hansen and his Bible Birds took a special trip to the town of Cave City, KY on August 20, for an unusual spectacle. The classic Bible Bird Show was successfully staged, to thundering applause, in the center of the main teepee at the Wigwam Village Motel. This is the first time Dr. Hansen recalls performing in a giant concrete replica Indian dwelling.

Though normally restricting shows to central Indiana, the 88-year old Dr. Hansen made an exception to kick off the festivities at a milestone birthday gala for one of the authors of Roadside America. Wendell drove the five hour journey from Noblesville in the Bird Van with wife Eunice and son Dean -- and 17 ready-to-stage birds.

Wigwam Village owner Ivan Johns helped the Hansens reconfigure the gift shop to accommodate their performance. With no piano handy for Eunice, the Roadside team jumped in with CD gospel accompaniment by "Frederick" (Branson's Waltzing Waters pianist, who plays two pianos at once -- two different songs!).

The show went off nearly flawlessly, with the exception of one strange interlude, when a black bird wouldn't swallow a tiny sword, no matter how much olive oil the Reverend squirted down its throat.

High points included the macaw-driven fire engine rescue of another bird in a burning church, a jaunty roller skating act, and a patriotic raising of the American flag.

[09/05/1999]