A shot from the Gunsmoke television series. Courtesy Art

"'Gunsmoke' was the ultimate television Western of the 20th century," said Jim Johnson of the Trail of Fame Committee that commissioned the Wyatt Earp statue and medallions along the Trail of Fame walking tour in Dodge City's old historic district.

"Sept. 10 is the actual anniversary of the premiere of 'Gunsmoke' 50 years ago to the day," Johnson pointed out. "We really are excited about the celebration of it."

A symposium entitled "Gunsmoke - 50 Years, Reliving the Legend" will be from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Santa Fe Depot Theater. Tickets will be $30 until Aug. 28, when the price will go up to $40.

Those registered for the symposium are welcome to attend a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at the Boot Hill Museum on Front Street with guests from "Gunsmoke."

"The symposium will include anecdotes, stories, facts and trivia," Johnson explained. "We have confirmed the first two keynote speakers: Jim Byrnes, a prolific writer of 'Gunsmoke' episodes, and author Ben Costello, who has written the book "Gunsmoke: an American Institution."

Costello's book will be released in Dodge City during the celebration, and he will appear at a book signing for the public during the symposium, Johnson said.

Also confirmed to attend is actor/writer/director/producer Mark Rydell, nominated for an Oscar for "On Golden Pond" and responsible for "The Cowboys" with John Wayne, "The Rose" with Bette Midler and many "Gunsmoke" episodes.

Character actor/pilot/biplane collector Morgan Woodward, who participated in more episodes of "Gunsmoke" than any other guest actor, also will attend.

Registration will include admission to all events, except the banquet; a 10 percent discount on Costello's book; a package of symposium materials and keepsakes; and lunch at the symposium.

Seating for the symposium will be limited to 162, with one-fourth of those seats already reserved by people from across the country. Symposium events will be in both the restored Santa Fe Depot and the Depot Theater Company's new theater.

Later in the day on Saturday, the Trail of Fame will host a Western dress banquet at the Santa Fe Depot at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be $60 a plate, or $75 after Aug. 28.

"The 'Gunsmoke' celebration is not just for local citizens; we are bringing in people from all over the country," Johnson said. "We have talked to Dennis and Gerry Weaver, Buck and Goldie Taylor, James and Janet Arness, Burt Reynolds, Katherine Ross, Sam Elliott, Morgan Woodward, Mark Rydell and Paul Savage."

Johnson described Arness, the star of "Gunsmoke," as "somewhat hobbled by injuries sustained on Anzio beach during World War II," but promised that "If he cannot attend in person, he will join the symposium via telephone and answer questions and share stories about 'Gunsmoke' with symposium attendees."

Dodge City Trail of Fame representatives will take the 24-inch bronze medallion to California so that Arness can place his hand prints and signature on it, as "Gunsmoke" actors Weaver and Taylor already did on their medallions in Dodge City.

"We will place the medallion for James Arness on the corner of Gunsmoke and Second Avenue in front of Fidelity Bank," Johnson said.

Dedication of four of the remaining five "Gunsmoke" medallions will take place downtown at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11.

"The medallions will honor Arness, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone and Ken Curtis, all cast members of 'Gunsmoke,'" Johnson said. "We still are seeking sponsors for these medallions."

Dennis Weaver currently is filming a nine-part series on location in Albuquerque, "but is working on his schedule so that he and his wife may attend the anniversary celebration," Johnson added. "'Gunsmoke' writer/producer Savage also is working hard to attend.

"We also are pleased that one of Hollywood's major directors, Andy McLaglen, hopes to be here," Johnson said. "McLaglen directed John Wayne movies and 30 episodes of 'Gunsmoke,' plus most of the episodes of 'Have Gun, Will Travel.'"

Johnson said fans of "Gunsmoke," the longest-running Western series that was televised weekly from 1955 to 1975, also have been invited to the 50th anniversary.

"All kinds of things having to do with 'Gunsmoke' will be on display at the symposium," he said. "We will have costumes, film clips, and speakers talking about various episodes of 'Gunsmoke.'"

A panel of writers, directors and former cast members of the show will be featured at the symposium. Actors and stars will give autographs, and vendors will sell "Gunsmoke" and other Western items during the day.

Radio episodes of the popular program will be broadcast all day Saturday, and a DVD of the symposium should be available. Sponsors for the event are Aquila, Leisure Hotels, The Boot Hill Museum, and the Dodge House Hotel and Convention Center.

"We still have room for at least two more major sponsors," Johnson said.

Application forms for online pre-registration to obtain tickets for the celebration may be found at the Web site HTTP://www.dodgecitytrailoffame.org. The online store also features 50th-anniversary clothing, coffee mugs and tote bags.

Forms also may be obtained from Johnson or other Trail of Fame Committee members. Call Johnson at (620) 561-1925 or (620) 408-6877.