Santa Clarita’s rich Western heritage takes center stage each year at the Cowboy Festival. This year marks the 20th annual event and looking back, some residents may wonder why the City hosts this Festival, which attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year.
More than two decades ago, City leaders were inspired by the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, and decided to create a unique celebration of Santa Clarita’s Western history – from art and music to film and television. In 1994, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival made its debut, honoring the authentic Old West through music, poetry, cowboy gear, food and storytelling in a setting that was unique to the area…and the rest is history!
Although elements of the event have changed over the years, Santa Clarita’s Cowboy Festival has always delivered a one-of-a-kind, multi-day lineup of music, food, entertainment and activities for Western enthusiasts of all ages.
This year, the City of Santa Clarita has planned an event that’s guaranteed to delight attendees of all ages. The Festival’s gracious hosts, the Veluzat family, will once again open the doors of Melody Ranch™ Motion Picture Studio for the event, providing a venue unlike any other. The Studio comes to life on Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, 2013, with the sights, sounds, and smells of Cowboy life as performers serenade, vendors serve up Dutch Oven treats, and attendees shop for merchandise that celebrates the past with the flair of today.
The Cowboy Festival continues to grow in popularity and several regional venues and community partners are working with the City to offer four days of events and entertainment to ensure the 20th annual event is the best yet!
