News release
The city of Santa Clarita is gearing up to celebrate a milestone as the 30th Anniversary Cowboy Festival returns on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For the first time as a city-owned park, William S. Hart Park (24151 Newhall Ave.) in Old Town Newhall will once again host the festival, providing a historic backdrop for one of Santa Clarita’s most cherished traditions, according to a news release from the city.
Admission is free and the festival will feature with western-themed events, food and activities. Guests can enjoy live performances by artists across three stages, explore cowboy-themed vendors, and take part in interactive experiences including line dance lessons at the Horseshoe Honky Tonk, archery and axe throwing at The Range, Gold Rush games, Living History demonstrations with blacksmiths, a cattle camp showcasing cowboy life and even mechanical bull riding for those who dare saddle up.
In addition to the free festivities, a variety of ticketed special events, performances and exclusive experiences are available throughout Cowboy Festival weekend. The ticketed celebrations begin Friday afternoon with an opportunity to step back in time at Rancho Camulos (5164 E. Telegraph Road), the historic rancho that inspired the 1910 silent film, “Ramona.”
You can end your Friday evening with the entire family at the Cowboy Family Night at the Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts (24607 Walnut St.), featuring campfire stories, Western sing-alongs and prairie tales for all ages. More information on Movie Ranch tours, locations and times will be available at CowboyFestival.org.
For those with dancing feet, the Cowboy Festival introduces its inaugural Line Dance Competition, celebrating three decades of Western music and community. Preliminary rounds kick off the weekend before the Cowboy Festival, on Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lucky Luke Brewing Santa Clarita (25108 Rye Canyon Loop).
The top dancers will advance to the Line Dancing Finals on Friday, April 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. at William S. Hart Park, kicking off the Cowboy Festival with a night of dancing. Then, dancers can keep the party going Saturday night during Dancing into the Dusk, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the festival’s Horseshoe Honky Tonk.
For detailed information about ticketed events and the available VIP weekend package, visit CowboyFestival.org. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer for the Cowboy Festival, visit SantaClaritaVolunteers.com.
