MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Cowboys and cowgirls are gearing up for a busy Father’s Day weekend of fun and competition as the annual Middletown Days celebration returns.

The event will begin on Friday evening, continuing through a full day of activities on Saturday and through the day Sunday, ending with a ride and race at dusk.

Stage entertainment and vendors will be available on both Saturday and Sunday.

The full lineup of events is listed below. For more information visit https://www.middletowndays.org/.


Friday, June 14:

• 6 p.m.: Team Roping. Prizes include saddles and spurs.

Saturday, June 15:

• 10 a.m.: Parade downtown.

Central Park events:

• All day: Silent auction at the Lions building.
• Noon: Famous barbecue at Greenwade barbecue area. Menu: Tri-tip, chicken, corn, garlic bread and more.
• Noon: Kids playday at the arena. Activities include the three-legged race, watermelon eating contest, water fight brigade and more.
• 1 p.m.: Cornhole tournament begins in front of the Lions Building.
• 1 p.m.: Free line dancing lessons in front of the Obie Sanders Stage Area.
• 2 p.m.: Junior/senior rodeo and mutton busting at the arena. Activities include barrels, poles, breakaway and goat tying.
• 2 p.m.: Third annual cutest cowgirl and cowboy contest at the Obie Sanders Stage Area. Age categories: 5 and under, 6 to 10.
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.: Dance Under the Stars with "Breaker One 9" at the Obie Sanders Stage Area.

Sunday, June 16:

• 8 to 11 a.m.: Father's Day breakfast at the Lions building.
• 9 a.m.: Cowboy church at Obie Sanders Stage.
• Noon: Bloody Mary Horseshoe Contest and Gymkhana. Sign up at the horseshoe pits
• Dusk: Hide Ride & Rescue Race.