header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Tuesday, Apr 21, 2015

darrylmanzer0215The 22nd annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival has come and gone. I thought it was great. I love it being moved to Hart Park and Heritage Junction, plus the shows in Downtown Newhall. What do you think?

It was good to have lots of shade and places to sit. I know the vendors in Heritage Junction liked the location, and of course we had the four “battles” this weekend. You know – them-thar Yankees shooting at them-thar Rebels. The cannon didn’t hurt anything in the Edison or Kingsbury houses, but things sure rattled a bit. The Fire Department was a bit concerned about the sparks from the cannons and the muskets, so folks got to see the “battlefield” being sprayed down with water just prior to every battle. It would be hard to explain how cannon fire started a brush fire in a county park.

It seemed there was a lot more to do and see this year. More shows and more places to see them. Stretching from The VU to Heritage Junction, there was about a half-mile of attractions and entertainment.

I’m sure there were some things we can learn from this year, like spreading out the vendors a little and maybe placing a few more in Heritage Junction. It seemed like a solid wall of sales tents. Maybe, as a friend of mine suggested, there should be false fronts built in front of the tents for the vendors so it looks more like a “town.”

The Buckaroo Bookstore had a great time in the Historical Society’s not-quite-finished, soon-to-be museum, the Pardee House at Heritage Junction. I know Bobbie Jean was happy it has air conditioning. Only problem was that the electrical upgrades and new heating and cooling system overloaded the main breaker in the panel that supplies power to all of the buildings in Heritage Junction. Guess the old power supplies will have to be upgraded. We were able to restore power quickly and now know the limitations.

There are some major thanks to be handed out to many people, but a huge shout-out goes to Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich for getting our handicapped ramp for the Newhall Ranch House and the bus for the tour of the SCV conducted by the Historical Society. (Would anyone out there like to have a similar tour this summer? Let me know.) Thank you, Supervisor Antonovich. Your efforts have helped us all in so many ways. This year we saw how quickly you and your office reacted to our needs for a ramp. You came through in a matter of maybe an hour. That was just plain fantastic.

Wolf Creek Brewery was great at the Junction, too. Every time I looked up, some new kegs were arriving – or so it seemed. Were all y’all that thirsty? There are plans to have water and soft drink sales, too, next year.

You know that if you or your kids didn’t ring the train bell and the Ramona Chapel bell when you visit, you have to go back and do that? It drives us crazy when folks take the time to visit but miss out on the bells.

If you visited the Saugus Train Station during Cowboy, you not only got to shop in our fine gift store and visit the museum, but in the freight room, the Art Directors Guild (film and TV art directors) had a great exhibition. Lots of stuff from just about every Western movie ever made.

I wonder if the ghosts in the Newhall Ranch House caused any problems for our vendors. Nothing happened Friday or Saturday night, so maybe they behaved themselves. Last month we had two cans of paint go missing one night when the UCLA film students were shooting in the place. They finished painting one evening and locked up. I checked all of the windows and doors. The two 1-gallon cans were sitting in the middle of the room when we left. We have yet to find those cans of paint. What the heck … I didn’t like the color anyway. It is said to have happened to other items before. The stuff always shows up in some strange place later. At least that is what I’ve been told by someone who knew somebody who may have heard it from a friend who had a friend … you get the idea.

So I think the Cowboy Festival was a huge success in the new location. Sure, I miss Melody Ranch, but the shade and nearness to town, good food and great entertainment are what it is all about. It was really a community event in the town and not confined to a small area. I mean, really – a half-mile of stuff to see. It doesn’t get better. It was a good opening in the new venue.

For me, the best part was that thousands of folks got to see Heritage Junction. Many told me they had never seen it before and want to return.

When all y’all come back, please bring your credit card or checkbook (we also take cold, hard cash) and become a member. Applications are available online [here]. Open every weekend from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and if you call, by appointment, too. You don’t have to wait until the next Cowboy Festival to visit and join.

Until then, keep them doggies movin’, cowhands. See you on the trail at the Junction soon.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley, where he serves as executive director of the SCV Historical Society. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com. His older commentaries are archived at DManzer.com; his newer commentaries can be accessed [here]. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

4 Comments

  1. Cheryl Dellepiane says:

    Great observations; I agree on all counts. I like the suggestion of constructing false fronts for the vendor tents, and there would be a whole year to work on them. Santa Clarita just keeps getting more awesome!

  2. nadiya says:

    As a vendor I would like to also say I loved the new location. Putting vendors on the grass facing the mansion with 3′ in between each one would be nice. That would also allow vendors and performers to park on the pavement and the guests to walk on the grass in the shade of the trees!
    Loved being there and look forward to next year.

  3. i enjoyed the new location. Needed more food booths. Loved the new activities.

  4. Did not like that they had blocked Newhall Ave. What a horrible idea .. Not to mention you have to also think about the people who live in the area ..

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com