SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Cowboy Festival Returns to Melody Ranch

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

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

December 23

1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]

Cowboy Festival Returns to Melody Ranch

Message from Mayor Bob Kellar

Mayor Bob Kellar | Monday, Apr 1, 2013

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

Inspired by the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev., Santa Clarita decided to try its hand at creating a local, Western event that combined the best in authentic cowboy entertainment, art, culture and history. The result is the city of Santa Clarita’s award-winning Cowboy Festival – and 2013 marks the event’s 20th anniversary.

The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival made its debut in 1994, immediately following the devastating Northridge earthquake. Santa Clarita was the third worst-hit city in the quake, and the original venue for the festival – the auditorium at Hart High School – was too damaged to host the event.

Undeterred, the city partnered with the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio to host the event at this tremendous venue, and the rest is history.

The Cowboy Festival found its home at Melody Ranch, and today, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival continues to honor the authentic Old West through music, poetry, cowboy gear, food and storytelling in a setting that is one of Santa Clarita’s greatest treasures.

Although elements of the Cowboy Festival have changed over the years – including its name; it used to be the Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival – Santa Clarita’s Cowboy Festival continues to offer festival-goers a one-of-a-kind, multi-day lineup of music, food, entertainment and activities for Western enthusiasts of all ages.

You don’t have to be a cowboy or cowgirl to enjoy the Festival. Movie buffs love having access to Melody Ranch, which is open to the public only during the city’s Cowboy Festival.

Wooden sidewalks, surrounded by giant oak trees, and a Western town with old-fashioned storefronts offer an ambience that is distinctly Melody Ranch.

The Oscar-winning “Django Unchained” was filmed in part at Melody Ranch, along with hundreds of other movies, television shows, videos and commercials. A small museum on the property (free entrance during Cowboy Festival weekend) showcases a variety of memorabilia from various film projects at the ranch over the last 50 years.

The Cowboy Festival continues to grow in popularity, and several regional venues and community partners are working with the city to offer four days of events and entertainment to ensure the 20th annual event is the best yet.

This year, the city of Santa Clarita, together with the festival’s gracious hosts, the Veluzat family, will once again open the doors of the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio on Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21. I encourage you to attend the festival and enjoy one of Santa Clarita’s best events.

For tickets and information, visit www.cowboyfestival.org. Bob Kellar is mayor of the city of Santa Clarita.

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.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Click here to cancel reply.

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.

Ondré Seltzer | SCVEDC Celebrates 15 Years in 2025

Friday, Dec 20, 2024

Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn

Friday, Dec 20, 2024

Every year at my Foster Youth Holiday Party, it seems like the presents and kids’ smiles get bigger and bigger!

Laurene Weste | What Are You Thankful For This Holiday Season?

Thursday, Dec 19, 2024

Reflecting on this past year, there are so many things to be thankful for. Whether it is our health, happiness or the ability to live in a community as special as ours, I believe many of our residents would agree that Santa Clarita is a place where wonderful memories have been made and a unique place to call home.

Ken Striplin | Happy 37th Birthday Santa Clarita

Monday, Dec 16, 2024

This Sunday, Dec. 15, the city of Santa Clarita will mark its 37th birthday.

Jason Gibbs | All Aboard the Holiday Light Tour

Monday, Dec 9, 2024

The holiday season is a special time in Santa Clarita. As November comes to a close, you’ll begin to notice more and more dazzling lights illuminated and sprinkled throughout the city, a spectacular sight to see for long-time residents and visitors alike.

Ken Striplin | Safe Travels and Happy Holidays

Monday, Dec 9, 2024

Here in Santa Clarita, keeping our streets in top condition is a priority and our Street Maintenance teams are dedicated to making that happen every day.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


Today in SCV History (Dec. 23) 1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]	Today in SCV History (Dec. 22) 1905 - County buys property to build Newhall Jail (now next to city's Old Town Newhall Library) [story]	Today in SCV History (Dec. 21) 1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]	Santa Clarita Seeks Applicants for Summer Lifeguard Jobs The city of Santa Clarita is seeking enthusiastic individuals with a passion for swimming, exceptional customer service and community engagement to join the lifeguard team.	Jan. 1: California State Parks First Day Hikes California State Parks is calling all outdoor enthusiasts to step into the new year with a breath of fresh air. On Wednesday, Jan. 1, State Parks will host its highly anticipated First Day Hikes, offering over 90 guided hikes at more than 70 of California’s most iconic and breathtaking parks.	Dec. 21: Residential No Burn Day in Santa Clarita Valley The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a residential No Burn Day Alert on Saturday, Dec. 21, for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.
Public Health Warns Against Consuming Raw Milk The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is urging residents to avoid consuming or feeding to their pets raw milk due to the ongoing spread of H5 bird flu in dairy cows.	Feb. 3: Deadline for Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Vendors Applications The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is hosting a call for vendors for its return April 12 and 13, 2025.	Protect the Most Vulnerable from COVID-19 this Holiday Season The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is reminding residents to remain vigilant as the holidays approach and to use the preventive tools available to protect the county’s most vulnerable populations from COVID-19.	Jan. 18: Zonta Lifeforward Workshop ‘All About Communication’ The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley will host a free Lifeforward workshop "All About Communication" on Saturday, Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway. Valencia, CA 91355.	Jan. 14: InfluenceHER Building Transformative Mutual Mentorship Start the new year off with a InfluenceHER Building Transformative Mutual Mentorship meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Kindred Spirits, 24510 Town Center Drive Valencia, CA 91355.	Ondré Seltzer \| SCVEDC Celebrates 15 Years in 2025
CalArtians Among Sundance 2025 Lineup The Sundance Institute has unveiled the eagerly anticipated program for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the country’s premier stage for independent cinema.	Kathryn Barger \| Keeping Up With Kathryn Every year at my Foster Youth Holiday Party, it seems like the presents and kids’ smiles get bigger and bigger!	TMU Coach Davis to Focus on Beach Volleyball, Hafner Hired as Indoor Coach Annett Davis, the head coach of both the women's volleyball team and the beach volleyball team at The Masters University, has decided to step down as the head coach of the women's indoor volleyball team.	West Ranch High’s Naomi Kim Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced Naomi Kim, a senior at West Ranch High School, has earned the Congressional Award’s highest award: The Gold Medal.	Dec. 24-25: CHP Maximum Enforcement, Home for the Holidays, Safety is Best Gift As families prepare to celebrate the holidays, the California Highway Patrol reminds everyone to prioritize safety on the road. To keep travelers safe throughout the busy holiday season, the CHP is initiating the first of two statewide Maximum Enforcement Periods this month to reduce traffic incidents by targeting unsafe driving behaviors and assisting motorists.	Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Valencia Branch of Santa Clarita Public Library Closed for Renovation The city of Santa Clarita has announced that renovations are coming to the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia Branch. The Valencia Branch will be temporarily closed from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, for a flooring renovation project.
Matias Castro, Golden Valley High Grad, Named 2025 YoungArts Winner Matias Castro a graduate of Golden Valley High School, three-time participant in the William S. Hart Union High School District Honor Band and current first-year student at University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music has been named a 2025 YoungArts winner with distinction in Jazz Alto Saxophone, the highest honor of the organization.	Realtors Host Annual Holiday ‘Breakfast with Santa’ in Valencia There was no gold, frankincense or the anointing oil myrrh, but the hot sausage, pancakes and special gifts offered at the recent “Breakfast with Santa” held in Valencia were treats for dozens of children and their parents. It was a reminder of the meaning of this special holiday season.	Today in SCV History (Dec. 20) 1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]	Yes I Can Honors Remo Inc., Migrate Sound Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education, a nonprofit organization that provides career-skills training and employment services to adults with disabilities, presented certificates of recognition to Remo Inc. and Migrate Sound for the commitment to creating career opportunities for neurodiverse talent.	The MAIN, Outpost Media Presents The Wolves The MAIN and Outpost Media has announced the premiere of The Wolves, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, thru Sunday, Jan. 26, at the MAIN located at 24266 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.	COC Board of Trustees Swears in New Members The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, swore in recently elected board members, named its new officers, received recognitions for service and set its 2025 meeting schedule at the board’s business and organizational meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 18.