Cowboy Couture, the Western-inspired, big-city, cowboy-infused premiere fashion event of the year will kick off the 2012 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival in downtown Old Town Newhall on Thursday, April 19.

Main Street will be alive with Western activities, chuckwagon-themed food trucks, Western music and activities for all ages as part of the City of Santa Clarita’s SENSES monthly event, which also includes the dedication of two brass saddle plaques in the Walk of Western Stars for Joel Cox and Glenn Ford. The plaques will be unveiled at 7:30 p.m. in front of OutWest and the Repertory East Playhouse.

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Cowboy Couture is a fundraiser for the Repertory East Playhouse in Old Town Newhall, which produces live theater year-round and is the home of the legendary Hydeaway Lounge. Doors open at the REP at 6:30, the show (which is a ticketed event) starts promptly at 8 p.m.

This year’s show – themed “A Rock ‘n’ Roll Rodeo” – will feature sassy models and a runway full of clothing and accessories from Western couture providers who will be selling their wares at the festival, including Brush Poppers, Anna Konya, Ann N Eve, Scully, Loco Lindo, Cowgirls Don’t Cry, Jules of the West, RainMoonBoutique, Rockmount Ranch Wear, Katy Creek, Rhonda Stark Designs, Silver King, Buckaroo Bobbins, Sarape Girl, Glass Horse Ranch and Laura Ingalls Design.

In addition, local merchants who bring out the cowboy and cowgirl in all of us all year long will also be rocking the runway, including OutWest, Fresh Boutique, Boot Barn, Naughty But Nice, Labels and Native American jewelry designs from Hart Park’s Becki Basham.

Ticket holders to Cowboy Couture will also be invited to “Treasures of the West” special jewelry and accessory showing at OutWest Western Boutique and Cultural Center across the street, where they will receive a special gift and glass of champagne.

Tickets for Cowboy Couture are $25 for assigned general seating and a limited number of $35 VIP runway seats are available. Reservations are going fast, call the REP at (661) 288-000 or visit www.repeastplayhouse.org to get tickets for this exclusive event.

Western designer fashions, vintage cowboy apparel, and celebrity models make this event a great kick-off to the Festival. Shop for the latest Western wear before and after the show. It’s the perfect opportunity to get into the cowboy spirit and outfit yourself for the Cowboy Festival.