LAKEPORT, Calif. – Record-sized crowds enjoyed the third annual Californio Days at Rancho de la Fuente on June 12.

Thanks to the generous support of key sponsors Balius Farm Miniature Sport Horses, Highland Springs Equestrian Center, Hooves and Wheels Carriage Club, RB Peters, and Williamson Hay Co., and additional contributions from the California Dressage Society Lake County Chapter, the Lake County Wine Studio, Rancho Californio and Rainbow Ag, this unique historical-education event remains free to the public and is enjoyed by people from all over Lake County and beyond.

Festivities kicked off with the Fiesta of the Horse, an exciting, action-and-comedy-packed two hours of fun under the sun.

There were a dozen different acts this year, including returning favorites like the Hooves & Wheels Quadrille, Lago Claro Peruvian Pasos, Cowboy Mounted Shooting and the Bennett Family Gypsy Horses, plus new additions from the California Dressage Society and White Dog Ranch in Potter Valley.

This fiesta marks the debut performance from Lake County's newest drill team, Random Chaos – a group that proves we are never too old to fulfill our dreams and have fun.

Singer Irma Lopez entertained throughout the fiesta, and following the show, the audience enjoyed good food from Suzie Q's and visited with traditional craftspeople and historic experts such as Bill Eaton of the California Map Society.

At 2 p.m., focus shifted to inside The Barn, where singers with the Red Voices Intertribal Drum provided a moving introduction to the afternoon program.

They were followed by traditional Pomo dancers from Big Valley, organized by Jojo MacLeod, who encouraged the entire audience to join the dance! It was a rare opportunity that was deeply appreciated by everyone who participated.

Dr. John Parker provided background notes for a special screening of the locally produced documentary, "A Walk Through Time, The Story of Anderson Marsh," which tells the fascinating history of 20,000 years of human habitation in the Clear Lake area.

Hundreds of photos from the June 12 event, both the morning and afternoon program, can be viewed at  www.californio.us .

The Intertribal and Pomo contributions greatly enhanced and expanded Californio Days' mission of providing "Edu-tainment" (history education and entertainment combined).

Event producer Deb Baumann looks forward to seeing Californio Days expand with involvement from more groups and individuals in Lake County that are devoted to California history, traditional arts and crafts, or agricultural heritage.

In fact, when asked if she would consider altering the event's name from "Californio" Days (a period of time in the 1800's) to "California" Days, Baumann gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "

Absolutely, yes!” she said. “My personal passion is the Californio period, but we want this event to showcase other aspects of California history and culture. If all it takes is changing one letter, to make the event feel more inclusive, count me in!"