Main Street at Melody Ranch bustles with activity. Photo by Ira Gostin of Gostin Productions.

Join the City of Santa Clarita this spring for the 13th annual Cowboy Festival, held April 26 to 30, at Santa Clarita's own working movie ranch, Melody Ranch, and locations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. he 2006 Cowboy Festival will feature the best in Western entertainers in a venue that is second to none.

The city will kick off the festival with the Cowboy Couture event on April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Canyon Theatre Guild Playhouse. Local celebrities will model high-end Western fashions in a fun, choreographed show that will delight and entertain. On Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. the Art of the Chuckwagon will be held at Heriage Junction. Learn how to prepare an entire meal, chuckwagon-style.

On Friday, April 28, the Walk of Western Stars gala will be held at the Valencia Hyatt Grand Ballroom at 7 p.m. This annual tribute to Western heroes of the silver screen will include a first-class meal and entertainment provided by R.W. Hampton and the Quebe Sisters Band. Don't miss the sidewalk dedication that day at 3 p.m. on the streets of Old Town Newhall!

On Saturday and Sunday, Melody Ranch will host the two-day Cowboy Festival, featuring live entertainment on three stages, including the California Music Stage, the Dodge House Stage and the Melody Ranch stage. Main Street Melody Ranch and Mercantile Row will feature unique Western merchandise for sale, and the Gold Rush Food court will offer a variety of vendors offering great Western cuisine. Don't miss the world's best peach cobbler and cowboy coffee!

Other Festival events include a behind-the-scenes tour of Melody Ranch, an afternoon with the Earps, an evening of music at Hart Mansion with the Sons of the San Joaquin, the Carousel Ranch benefit trail ride, plus the spaghetti Western family dinner train, Women Artists of the West, the legacy of violence in Western song and, at the Canyon Theatre Guild Playhouse, enjoy live theatre with the play Oklahoma!

Ticket prices, venues and more information are all available at www.cowboyfestival.org or by calling the ticket hotline at 800-305-0755. Ticket information is available at 286-4021.


Cowboy Poetry Schedule of Events

Unless otherwise noted, tickets can be purchased online at www.cowboyfestival.org or by calling 286-4021.

Wednesday, April 26

Cowboy Couture at the Canyon Theatre Guild Playhouse, 7 p.m., $20

Western designer fashions, vintage cowboy apparel and celebrity models, along with a wine reception, make this one great kick-off to the Festival.

Thursday, April 27

The Art of the Chuckwagon at Heritage Junction, 6 p.m., $35

A feast for the Western senses, featuring chuckwagon cooking demonstrations and dinner with entertaining prairie lore, music and an art show/sale benefiting the Santa Clarita Historical Society.

Women Artists of the West at Hart Hall, 6 p.m., free

A reception and open mic for cowboy poets and musicians runs from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The good times start with a performance by the Lost Canyon Rangers, along with cowboy poet Joe Harrington. See sidebar for more information on Women Artists of the West.

Friday, April 28

Spaghetti Western Family Dinner Train with Fillmore Western Railway, 7 p.m., $50, $26

Fillmore Western Railway actors tell tall tales, sing songs of the Old West, interact with guests and share history about train travel. Price includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. For tickets call 805-524-2546.

Walk of the Western Stars Gala Dinner & Award Ceremony at the Hyatt Valencia, 7 p.m., $100

Don't miss this annual tribute to the Silver Spur heroes of the past and present while dining on catered cuisine and enjoying the talents of R.W. Hampton and the Quebe Sisters.

Oklahoma! at the Canyon Theatre Guild Playhouse, 8 p.m., $17

A high-spirited musical set in Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the century. For tickets call 799-2702.

The Legacy of Violence in Western Song at the Autry National Center, 8 p.m., $20

Join Don Edwards and other musicians in a unique performance as they explore the violence in Western music with Byron Price, director of the University of Oklahoma Charles M. Russell Center. For tickets, call 866-468-3399.

Saturday, April 29

Melody Ranch Festival Grounds, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., $15, $10

Street shows, art, gear, food, dry goods and more.

An Afternoon with the Earps at William S. Hart Mansion, 2 p.m., $35

Learn about Wyatt Earp, his brothers and the OK Corral shootout from the grandchild of Wyatt in the living room of William S. Hart.

Melody Ranch Swing Dance with the Lucky Starts at the Melody Ranch Main Stage, 9 p.m., $10

Bring your dancing partner and two-step the night away.

Sunday, April 30

Cowboy Church at Masters College, 8 a.m., free

For information, call 268-8863.

Carousel Ranch Benefit Trail Ride & Lunch, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., $50, $20

Ride through beautiful Placerita Canyon as you head through Melody Ranch. After a ride in the ranch, return for lunch. Proceeds benefit Carousel Ranch's therapeutic riding for children. Bring your own horse. Call 268-8010 for more information.

Melody Ranch Festival Grounds, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., $15, $10

Street shows, art, gear, food, dry goods and more.


Women Artists of the West

Street entertainers, like trick roper Karen Quest, engage guests in Western history. Photo by Ira Gostin of Gostin Productions.

Women Artists of the West will hold its fifth annual art exhibit and sale at William S. Hart Park, coordinating with activities of the City of Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.

WAOW will hold a reception at Hart Hall for the Cowboy Poets and other Festival participants on Thursday evening, April 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., including performances by the Lost Canyon Rangers, Cowboy Poet Joe Herrington, and Buck Corbett and the Boys from the Double J, followed by an open mic portion.

The art show and receptions at Hart Hall are open to the public and admission is free.

WAOW is a national organization of women artists working in diverse mediums and styles. Art featured in the show includes original works in oil, watercolor, mixed-media, pencil, pastel, mezzotint and other fine art print processes, and sculptures in bronze and clay. Subject matter includes Western work and horses, landscape, wildlife, still life, figurative and abstract works.

William S. Hart Park & Museum/Hart Hall is located at 24151 San Fernando Road, in Newhall.