Lakeport >> Rancho de la Fuente and Rancho Californio present the third annual Californio Days at Rancho de la Fuente on June 12.
Festivities begin with the Fiesta of the Horse at 10:30 a.m.
There are three times more participants this year, including new drill teams and exotic horse breeds, as well as returning performers like the Hooves and Wheels Quadrille, the Claiche Family Jousters and Cowboy Mounted Shooting, providing two hours of fast-paced entertainment.
The fiesta show will be followed at 12:30 p.m. by live music, family-friendly beverage and food sales (with a kids menu in addition to adult dishes), and opportunity to browse educational displays devoted to California history, agriculture, artwork and ranch crafts. There is a special emphasis on artwork, crafts and literature by local residents.
At 1:30 p.m. the action will move to the big barn venue, with Native American drumming and singing (“Red Voices Intertribal Drum”), and ceremonial dancing, followed by a special screening of the locally-produced documentary “A Walk Through Time, The Story of Anderson Marsh.” The film will be introduced by historian/archeologist Dr. John Parker and Koi Nation tribal administrator Dino Beltran. There will be opportunity afterward for audience Q&A with the filmmakers.
Last year’s Californio Days event drew more than 500 spectators and participants. The event has doubled in size every year.
Admission to Californio Days is free. Parking will open at 9:45 a.m. and the two-hour-long Fiesta of the Horse starts at 10:30 a.m.
Rancho de la Fuente is located at 2290 Soda Bay Road, south of Lakeport.
Anyone interested in sponsoring, supporting, volunteering, participating, or contributing displays or expertise, contact Deb Baumann at 275-9234 or email info@californio.us
Photos and videos from past events can be viewed at www.californio.us.
