Shorty Fincher’s Valley View Park played host to the likes of Hank Williams Jr. and Sr., Porter Waggoner, the Osmond Brothers, Kitty Wells and the Harmonica Cats.
Some performers who traveled to the eastern York County venue were in their early stages of stardom.
But Roy Rogers performed during the Hellam Township park’s heyday in the 1950s when he also was a top box office star.
Rogers did not perform alone.
His horse, Trigger, joined him on the eastern York County stage… .
In 1971, Roy Rogers again traveled to York County.
On the York Fair stage, he was joined by another performer close to him: his wife Dale Evans.
Fincher himself was an accomplished performer, known for his group “Prairie Pals.” His instruments included mouth harp, bazooka, drum and a five-string banjo.
As for his first banjo, he recalled his father made it. His first tune? “Boil That Cabbage Down.”
A small case exhibit at the York County Heritage Trust’s Historical Society Museum, 250 E. Market St., tells more about Valley View.
And see previous post: “Shorty Fincher, Elvis, Three Stooges shared stage.”
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I remember seeing/meeting Roy Rogers at Valley View Park, but the year was 1941.I have access to a picture album made by Shorty Fischer (the then owner of the park)covering the year of 1941 and visiting performers to the park,such as:Sons of the Pioneers,Cackle Sisters, Roy Rogers, Ken Maynard,and others.The album title is “Prairie-Pals Album,W-O-R-K- York ,Pa.”