Zany Cowboys and Hot Chili for Western Days in Old Town

Temecula's western roots are revisited during Western Days, May 21 and 22 with old west skits, high noon shootouts, western music, a chili cookoff, and an old-fashioned saw horse cattle call.

Old Town Temecula's Gun Fighters will host an exhibition of western skits and gunfights both days at 4th and Old Town Front Street. At high noon both days the Temecula Gunfighters treat the crowd to a comical bank robbery featuring dozens of bad guys in a final shoot out with the sheriff and his posse.

Live western music adds to the old west flair. Saturday features the Older than Dirt band from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, two bands perform, Cross Town Cowboys from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Front Street, and the Judy Taylor Trio from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Town Square where the Chili Cookoff is held.

Older than Dirt is a local group of seniors whose average age is 75. They play a mixture of traditional western, bluegrass and country.

The Cross Town Cowboys 2008 debut CD “SAVE THE WEST!” received worldwide radio airplay earned a nomination for “Best Western Swing Album” by the Western Music Association.

Judy Taylor and her quartet are known for offering more than a great mix of western and cowboy tunes. Taylor is a yodeler and trick-roper. While she yodels a cowboy favorite, she also demonstrates her trick rope style.

Stagecoach rides and calf roping lessons are free both days from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday's Chili Cookoff is an ICS qualifier plus People's Choice event. There is a $500 Red Chili ICS Cash prize, plus other cash awards. Tastings are from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Awards are at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Old Town Temecula features over 100 antique stores, boutiques, and curio shops in a charming Old West setting. Arrive early Saturday to take in the Farmer's Market held at Sixth and Front Street. The Market is open until noon.

Be sure to bring your Decorated Sawhorse to the lot between 4th Street and Main on OldTown Front Street. Jim Brooks will be showing you how to rope a calf and Saw Horse Cows will be judged  for prizes on Saturday, May 21st. Bring your cow/saw horse by 11 a.m.

See http://www.temeculacalifornia.com/ for details and forms.

.