Celebrating National Day of American Cowboy

Cowboy re-enactments, cowboy music, cowboy poetry, vendors, food and door prizes are part of the National Day of the American Cowboy celebration in Ramona on July 24. Festivities will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Mountain Valley Ranch at state Route 78 and Magnolia Avenue.

Organized by Doug “Ranger Doug” Oliver of Ranger Doug’s Shootists’ Emporium, the fourth annual event here coincides with the national campaign started in 2004 and held on the fourth Saturday in July to preserve, protect and promote the cowboy and Western heritage.

Ramona rancher Steve Tellam will talk about life as a modern-day cowboy, and Ramonan Jim Cooper will talk about and display his cowboy gear.

“It’s trying to get the public to learn about the cowboy culture and to appreciate what cowboys do for us,” said Oliver, who has watched the event grow from the parking lot outside his shop on Main Street to the larger venue at Mountain Valley Ranch.

Admission is free and children age 12 and younger are invited to participate in a coloring contest that promises each entrant a coupon to Cold Stone Creamery.

Ramona Rodeo queens will help throughout the day, and businesses in Ramona and elsewhere are contributing.

Vendors will be selling wares and opportunity drawings will be held for a range of prizes, including an EMF 45 revolver. Tickets for an opportunity to win the revolver are $10 each and only 200 have been printed. Tickets for other prizes are $1 each, six for $5 and 12 for $10.

Proceeds will be split between the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and Western Folk Life Center, said Oliver, who may be contacted at 760-789-4867 for more information.