Second Carradine enshrined on Western film tribute.

The shady palms in this Friday afternoon crowd weren’t trees, but wide-brimmed hats worn to match cowboy garb. The crowd at the corner of Market and Main Streets in downtown Newhall were willing to stand the heat for a chance to see some of their favorite Western stars being immortalized with bronze saddles in the Walk of Western Stars.

The surrey bearing Western stars

Their wait was soon rewarded by the appearance of a horse-drawn surrey that traveled down Market Street from the Community Center bearing the three honorees, actors David Carradine, John Saxon and stuntman/animal manager Jack Lilley. When the riders disembarked, the crowd went wild.

Mayor Bob Kellar and honorees David Carradine, John Saxon and Jack Lilley

“You could not find a better gathering of talent than the people on this corner,” Lilley said as the crowd roared. Past honoree Herb Jeffries, who received his saddle in 2001, greeted fans from a shiny black mobility scooter emblazoned with a bright gold sheriff’s star.

John Saxon unveils his saddle

The three saddles, in a row along a historic mural of the Southern Hotel on Market Street, were covered with squares of red velvet. After Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar and SCV Chamber of Commerce Chairman Charles Gill gave a short speech about each honorees’ accomplishments, the terrazzo squares were unveiled, first Saxon, then Lilley, ending with Carradine.

The men thanked the gathered fans, then posed for a myriad of pictures before adjourning to El Trocadero for a reception.

Mayor Bob Kellar reads about David Carradine’s accomplishments as Councilwoman Marsha McLean looks on

David Carradine kisses his sidewalk saddle

Honoree Jack Lilley stands with artist Frank Rock, whose mural is next to Lilley’s saddle