UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Upper Lake will celebrate its Western heritage at the annual Wild West Day on Saturday, June 2.
In its 19th year, the celebration features barbecue, Western wear contests, antique tractors, a parade, street dancing and even an opportunity to ride “Rocky” the mechanical bull.
The Blue Canyon Gang will perform their gunslinging Western show at high noon and again on the hour until 4 p.m.
Upper Lake is noted for its authentic Western feel with covered sidewalks, antique stores and a hotel that was a stage stop in the 1800s.
The festival is popular with the community and visitors thanks to the wide array of merchants, as well as the tri-tip barbecue and pancake breakfast by the Northshore Fire Support and the Upper Lake Community Council.
The Upper Lake FFA will have strawberry shortcake dessert and root beer floats crafted by the members of the North Shore Business Association.
Wild West Day was started in 1993 by a group of merchants and community members to help the volunteer fire department with the purchase of the jaws of life while concurrently celebrating the Upper Lake post office’s 135th anniversary.
The event has continued and is now sponsored by the Northshore Fire Protection District, the Upper Lake Community Council and the Northshore Business Association.