Held for many years at the Melody Ranch Movie Studio, the 2015 Cowboy Festival will be moving to William S. Hart Park in Old Town Newhall.

As a partner with the Cowboy Festival this year, the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will be hosting a variety of exciting events at Heritage Junction (inside Hart Park) from April 17-19. The highlight of the Cowboy Festival weekend at Heritage Junction will be a Saturday night concert by Marie Wise-Hawkins, a Santa Clarita local and recent finalist in America’s No. 1 Country Music Talent Search, the Country Showdown at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The concert will be held outdoors on the platform of the historic Saugus Train Station. Admission to the concert will include a tasty barbecue chicken dinner and a beer garden presented by Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Company.

>> PREVIEW Marie Wise-Hawkins on SCVTV’s “House Blend” Music Show

About Marie Wise-Hawkins

Recognized as a singer of exceptional artistry and versatility, Marie Wise-Hawkins is a captivating young artist who is and has been generating excitement in the professional music world for years.

Marie Wise-Hawkins

In June, Marie landed the Big Gig at Summerfest, the World’s largest Music Festival in Milwaukee, within months of winning the Romano’s Macaroni Grill National Opera Sing-Off in Dallas. However, because she was committed to fulfilling her lifelong dream of performing at the birthplace of the Grand Ole Opry, Marie entered the Country Showdown, the world’s largest country music talent competition, this past summer, and won the Local and State Competitions on behalf of KHTS AM-1220. She represented California as a Western Regional Finalist in Coos Bay, Oregon in November. Her dream came true when she became a finalist in the national competition and appeared at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on November 14. Marie performed on stage with country superstar LeAnn Rimes. Just a glance at some of the personalities that have graced the Showdown stage in years past, and it’s readily apparent that the Showdown is, and has been, a stepping stone to some amazing careers. Consider Garth Brooks or Miranda Lambert. LeAnn Rimes, Chris Young, the list goes on.

Marie plays guitar, writes her own songs and enjoys performing a variety of concerts ranging from opera to country music, from classic rock to world music, from musical theatre to worship, and regularly appears at Community Festivals throughout Southern California. She has been accompanied by such musical icons as Pete Anderson, Kenny G, Carmine Sardo and Buck Page.

Events to be held at Heritage Junction During the 2015 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival:

Friday evening, April 17:

Friday Night Flickers, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Saugus Train Station: A movie double-feature beginning with a short presentation on William S. Hart. The main feature will be the movie “Suddenly” starring Frank Sinatra, filmed entirely in Newhall and Saugus in 1954. The evening will be hosted by the stars of the SCVTV movie series “SCV In the Movies,” E.J. Stephens and Bill West. Box of popcorn included. Patrons can park for free at the Cowboy Festival Shuttle Site. (Food available for purchase.)

Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19:

* Throughout the festival, Heritage Junction will be hosting a variety of musical acts on the freight platform of the Saugus Train Station. Acts can be seen at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. both days.

* Old West Saloon at Heritage Junction will be open all day Saturday and Sunday, serving beer and wine.

* Vendors will be available in tents and at the Newhall Ranch House all day Saturday and Sunday.

* OutWest Boutique, hosted by Bobbi Jean Bell, will feature Western merchandise for sale in the Pardee House at Heritage Junction all day Saturday and Sunday. In addition, there will be a series of talks and interviews with local authors.

* For your culinary delights, there will be food trucks at Heritage Junction throughout the Festival weekend.

* History buffs will want to check out the Civil War reenactors who will be making presentations on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday evening, April 18:

Dinner and Show with Headliner, Country Showdown finalist Marie Wise-Hawkins and her band. Marie, an up and coming country music talent, will be showcasing her original music, along with country music classic songs. Dinner will start at 6:30pm accompanied by the musical performance of Scotty and Nicole. Main Show on the freight platform of the Saugus Train Station with Marie-Wise Hawkins and her band will begin at 8:00pm. Beer garden will be hosted by Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Company.

Sunday Morning, April 19:

The Santa Clarita Valley Historic Site Bus Tour:

The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society is offering a Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Sites in the Santa Clarita Valley. The day will begin with an introduction to Heritage Junction in the Freight Room of the historic Saugus Train Depot, and a brief review of SCV history. We will then be visiting 30 points of interest in the Santa Clarita Valley, stopping to explore four in more detail. We will be walking short distances over uneven terrain.  No children under 6 years old. Sandwiches will be provided. Please Park at the Cowboy Festival Shuttle Site for Transportation to Heritage Junction.

Ticketed Events:

Friday Night Flickers

Date: Friday, April 17

Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Heritage Junction

Ticket: Child (3-11) $5.00

Adult$10.00

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Dinner & Show with Marie Wise Hawkins

Date: Saturday, April 18

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: Heritage Junction

Ticket: $45

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Santa Clarita Valley Historical Tour

Sunday, April 19

Tour: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Ticket: $60

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For more information:

Contact Darryl Manzer at dmanzer@scvhistory.com

Cowboy Festival Website:  http://cowboyfestival.org

SCV Historical Society Website:  http://www.scvhs.org