Ranger Doug and historical society partner to stage Day of Cowboy in Ramona

Cowboy re-enactments, western music, vendors, demonstrations, art, food and prizes will be part of the National Day of the American Cowboy on Saturday, July 27. Admission is free.

All are welcome to what promises to be a fun-filled and action-packed family event at Mountain Valley Ranch, 842 Highway 78 near the 78/Magnolia Avenue intersection, from noon to 5 p.m.

Doug “Ranger Doug” Oliver, owner of Ranger Doug’s Shootists’ Emporium, started the annual celebration in 2007 as a way to preserve and honor the American cowboy and the country’s Western heritage. This year he’s partnering with the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society to stage the seventh annual celebration.

Shirthouse Bluegrass Band and The Sunny Side Strings will play familiar old-time Western music. Ramona cowboy

poet Dan Parker will read his cowboy poetry, Steve Tellam will share stories about his family’s cattle ranching business that continues on in Ramona today, and Dave Morrison, a Julian saddle maker, will demonstrate fitting a saddle.

Also, there will be food, vendors, displays, re-enactments, opportunity drawings and more. Two hundred opportunity tickets will be available for an EMF Cowboy 45 revolver. Tickets for a replica of an 1851 Navy 44-caliber black powder revolver in a presentation donated by EMF will also be available. Drawings for the guns will be held at the close of the event.

Premier sponsors are Drew Ford and Mountain Valley Ranch. Business and individual sponsors are: Wayne Channon/City Barber Shop, Katie and Fred McNorton/Coldwell Banker Country Realty, Elston Hay and Grain, EMF, El Michoacan, Amber Ramirez/Farmers Insurance, Woody Kirkman/W. T. Kirkman Lanterns, The Livery Feed & Ranch Supply, Main Street Auto Care, Oasis Camel Dairy, Ron and Lila Peterka, Ramona Chamber of Commerce, San Vicente Inn & Golf Resort, San Vicente Mortgage, Jeff and Amy Ruland/Sears Ramona and Wild Bill’s Western Emporium.