Re-runs boost Ponderosa

The Ponderosa Ranch Western Studio and Theme Park near Incline Village, home of the popular 1960s television western "Bonanza," will receive added exposure when the series begins airing on cable's TV Land Labor Day weekend.

TV Land will add "Bonanza" to its regular programming lineup by running a two-day marathon of the show's episodes beginning on Sunday, Aug.

31 and concluding on Monday, Sept.

1.

While no special promotional activities are planned by the park management team to mark the occasion, Ponderosa Ranch President David Geddes said the additional exposure is a plus for the park.

"The impact (of the series) was running red hot in the 1960's," Geddes said.

"Rereleasing the re-runs would certainly help to reinforce it."

The series centered around the adventures of the Cartwright family consisting of father Ben (Lorne Greene) who owns the Ponderosa Ranch, and his three sons: Adam (Pernell Roberts), Hoss (Dan Blocker), and Little Joe (Michael Landon) in Civil War era Nevada.

One of the longest-running television series in history, Bonanza lasted 14 seasons from 1959-73 and aired 431 episodes.

It was also one of the first shows to be broadcast in color.

The Ponderosa Ranch where the show was filmed during its heyday, has become a major tourist attraction.

Opened to the public in 1967 just south of Incline Village, the ranch entertains approximately 250,000 patrons a year.

The park is open yearly from April to October and hosts a activities

including tours, hayrides and gun-show entertainment.

Geddes said the busiest time of the year is July and August.