The 21st annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is almost here, featuring live performers, historical reenactments, western-inspired food and cowboys gifts.

The 21st annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is little more than a month away. This decades-long tradition in the SCV will be hosted once again by Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27.

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A wide range of singers, performers and historical reenactments are lined up for this event, in addition to western inspired food vendors, book and gift shops, family-fun activities and several special events that explore the western film heritage in Santa Clarita.

Performers include gunslinger Joey Dillon, the Sons of San Joaquin, cowboy poet Paul Zarzyski, the New Buffalo Soldiers and many more.

There will be a variety of performances during both days of the Festival on the California Music Stage, Cowboy Corner Stage, Heritage Stage and Melody Ranch Stage throughout Melody Ranch. A full list of shows and locations is available, here.

Those who want to start the festivities early can attend any one of several special events starting Thursday, April 24.

These include a two-part Western Film Tour, as cowboy fashion show at the Repertory East Playhouse, a play at Hart Mansion recounting the story of Wyatt and Josie Earp and behind the scenes tours of Melody Ranch.

All special events are ticketed separately. Times and prices can be found here.

For local students who want to get involved in the festival, the Youth Poetry Roundup Contest returns this year, open to grades first through 12th.

Poems must be submitted by Thursday, April 3 to the Santa Clarita Activities Center. Poems must rhyme and tell a story in the historical oral narrative tradition, according to the entry form.

First through third place winners will receive a trophy and complimentary tickets to the Festival. Click here for the entry form.

A number of volunteers are still needed to collect tickets, stock merchandise at the gift shops, assist the stage manager during performances and guide children’s activities, among other duties.

All volunteers must sign up through the city’s recreation registration page.

Tickets to the Festival are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Two-day passes for adults and children are $30 and $15, respectively.

Guests can also purchase the $150 Friends of the Festival Weekend Pass, which entitles them to two-day admission, preferred seating at all performances, free food and drink and a voucher for one item of official Cowboy Festival merchandise.

For more information about the Cowboy Festival, including a map, schedule and all activities click here.

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