Penny Dahl – Record-Bee correspondent
UPPER LAKE The Annual Wild West Day will be held Saturday, June 3, all along Main Street in the downtown area.
And just what is a Wild West Day? “A family-fun street fair celebrating Upper Lake”s Old West heritage,” says Debbie Hablutzel, president of the Upper Lake Community Council, the organization presenting the event.
Upper Lake is a special gem to Lake County, according to Hablutzel, having been the first of its towns to open a post office back in 1854 152 years ago. Wild West Day is now on its 13th year celebrating the precious history of small town Upper Lake.
Today kicks off with a breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall, prepared and served by the Upper Lake Fire Auxiliary. The cost for breakfast is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children.
A family-friendly event, jubilee jumps, slides, castles and more in the play area will be present to entertain the children for a small fee. The play area opens as early as 10 a.m. and remains open until the end of the day.
Starting at 9 a.m., the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will have a designated area to display old stationary farm engines, a gas-powered Maytag washing machine, maybe some tractors and a rope twisting machine with which association member Wayne Sanders will be demonstrating rope-making using sicle or jute.
Guests won”t have to wait long to eat again as vendors will sell food and drinks beginning at 8 a.m. The tri-tip barbecue, sponsored by the Upper Lake Community Council and cooked by Northlake Ridgerunners, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of the barbecue is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children.
Other vendors will be present all day long to sell antiques and arts and crafts.
Everything will be western-themed from the parade to the music and even the people.
As for finding out who”s the Westest at the Wild West Day, there will be contests for parade floats as well as costume contests. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and sign ups for the costume, beard and bonnet contests are at 11 a.m.
Awards will be presented at noon. Costume, beard and bonnet winners will receive ribbons, while parade winners in seven different categories will receive ribbons and trophies – the grandest of trophies designated for the Best of Show float.
Between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Eleven Roses Ranch will give wagon rides from First and Main streets into the country areas of the town. Riders roam for free.
One of the event highlights that visitors simply cannot miss is the Blue Canyon Gang. Taking event goers back to the atmosphere of the Wild West, this group of men and women put on skits throughout the day, involving spectators in their characters” shenanigans. Shows will be at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Even with a festival full of exhibits and activities, musical entertainment will occupy the second half of the day. The Clear Lake Clikkers come on at 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. to show visitors their best moves.
The event closes with a street dance from 2 to 5 p.m., with a live performance by The Band of Brothers. Members include Tim Peregrina (guitar, lead vocals), Richard Peregrina (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Richard Elliott (drums and vocals), Rich Reading (bass and vocals) and Charwin Ward (drums and vocals). Ward is also the sound technician.
What”s unique about The Band of Brothers is that 30 years ago the same group of men formed a band called Konocti. They officially reunited in December 2005 with their new name. In addition to playing classic country and some newer country, the band covers classic hits from the 1960s and 70s. “We do the Beatles, Beach Boys you name it,” said Peregrina. “We cover all bases,” he added. “We like to play a wide variety of music.” The band also plays original material.
“We”d like everyone to come out and see us,” said Peregrina. “People who can”t go out and listen to the music they grew up on can come out and listen to us. It”s really hard to find that.”
Proceeds for Wild West Day are split between the Upper Lake Volunteer Fire Department and Upper Lake Community Council. However, one special visitor will be going home a little wealthier, too, by simply participating in the Split the Pot raffle. Raffle tickets are sold as early as 9 a.m. for the drawing that won”t take place until 2 p.m. The winner gets to split the pot, taking home half of all the money earned through the raffle over the five hours.
For more information about the Upper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, ULCC or Wild West Day, contact Debbie Hablutzel, 275-2000, or visit the ULCC Web site, www.upperlakeca.com.
Contact Penny Dahl at pennyeach@gmail.com.
