If you love cowboys, enjoy "a whole lotta cowboy goin's on" in the midst of spectacular red rock country. Sedona is celebrating National Day of the Cowboy, July 25th, 2009, with a FREE event from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm in the Main Street District along State Route 89A and Jordan Road. It is befitting our cultural heritage, since Cowboys were a vital part of this town from its early days. And the Cowboy Artists of America was founded by resident and area cowboys at the Oak Creek Tavern, now known as Cowboy Club in Uptown Sedona.
A Cowboy Parade opens the day at 10:30 am along Jordan Road. Set a spell to watch the parade of cowboys and horses, rangers and stagecoaches, mountain men and more horses! Our Master of Ceremonies will let you know who's who, but keep your eyes open for a surprise rodeo clown or two! Can you guess who'll win prizes and for what type of entry? Stay to see their eyes widen if they win that shiny prize!
Gunslingin', whip crackin' and trick ropin' start at High Noon as part of live performances 'til dusk at Cowboy Plaza! Three-time World Champion Gunslinger, Joey Dillon will be joined by fast movin' action and drama from local cowboys & gals, too! Then if you want to try your hand at some of the cowboy fun, head on down to Cheers Plaza and ride the Mechanical Bull. Rides are only $5 each and you can challenge that bull from noon until 4 pm.
Whet your appetite at one of the food booths along the sidewalks, grab a roasted corn and then cool down with Heavenly Ice! Or spend a leisurely moment at one of the restaurants where you can dine inside or at a sidewalk café. Western artisans will demonstrate their skills at Sinagua Plaza throughout the day. Cowboy Corral will host True West Magazine outside of their store, so stop by for a complimentary issue. Word has it that AZ Highways magazine photographer will be "shooting" around and about!
Wear your western finery and join in the Spirit of the West Outfit Contest at 4:00 pm in Cowboy Plaza. Prizes will be awarded for the "Best" of adults 16 & over and children 15 & under. Gather around for live western music by the Oak Creek Boys, and dance along if you want. They will be performing at Canyon Breeze Plaza from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sure hopin' you'll help us celebrate National Day of the Cowboy, designated as the fourth Saturday of July by President Bush in 2005. Remember to bring your cameras! Please join us in special thanks to Sedona Peace of Mind Home Watch Service, Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, Joe Wilcox Western Wear and Stagecoach Emporium, Cowboy Corral Gang, A Day in the West, Los Abrigados Resort & Spa and Sedona Trolley. This free event is made possible because of the generous financial and service support of these community businesses, our media partners, and the volunteer efforts of Gene "Rock" Kurz, a Sedona cowboy & western actor, and Sedona Main Street Program.
Additional details are available by calling 928-204-2390.
Photo and text courtesy: Sedona Chamber of Commerce
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