UPPER LAKE — The town will set the stage for a celebration of its Western heritage at the annual Wild West Days on June 4.
In its 18th year, the celebration features barbecue, western wear contests, antique tractors, a parade, street dancing and an opportunity to ride Rocky the mechanical bull.
The Blue Canyon Gang will perform its gun-slinging Western show at high noon and again on the hour until 4 p.m.
Upper Lake is noted for its authentic Western feel with covered sidewalks, antique stores and a hotel that was a stage stop in 1800s.
The festival is popular with the community and visitors thanks to the wide array of merchants as well as the tri-tip barbecue from Diamond Shade Ranch, strawberry shortcake dessert prepared by the Upper Lake FFA and root beer floats crafted by the members of the North Shore business Association.
Wild West Day started in 1993 by a group of merchants and community members to help the volunteer fire department with the purchase of the “Jaws of Life” while concurrently celebrating the Upper Lake Post Office”s 135th anniversary.
The event has continued and is now sponsored by the Northshore Fire Protection District, the Upper Lake Community Council and the Northshore Business Association.
This year also marks Lake County”s sesquicentennial.
Participants are encouraged to dress in Western garb with beards and bonnets at the CPS booth between 9 and 11 a.m.
Early Day Engine and Tractor Association will be on hand again with “Pop de Poppin” engines and machines of yesteryear.
The celebration is set to a musical background supplied by Hilarie, Milton and Moe with Jim Williams also sharing time on the stage.
There is still room available for quality vendors and parade entries are being accepted until May 25.
More information is available at www.n-s-b-a.org or by calling Debbie Hablutzel at 275-2000.
