Giddy-up Cowboys and Cowgirls, It's Western Heritage Month!

“Hey Pilgrim, you forgot your pop-gun.”

It’s time to saddle up for Western Heritage Month here in the Tri-Valley, a month long celebration of our Western roots. There's a lot goin' on ... The 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo, a variety of Cowboy entertainment, classic Western Films, Livermore's 52nd Annual Junior Rodeo, and don't miss out on your annual corndog at The Alameda County Fair! (Well, it may not be your favorite fair food, but that's what I save up for every year!)

It all starts this coming weekend. Get your burn on and come taste the chili creations of Livermore's downtown Restaurants, 1 shot glass, tons o' chili, all with an original ethnic or culinary style twist! The Livermore Downtown Chili Shooters Stampede hosts a chili cook-off, Western family fun, farm animal petting zoo, cast iron cooking demonstrations @ Blacksmith Square, a Western history story trail, old West demo's, $1 craft beer crawl, live country music and more. Stay downtown for an evening, outdoor film of "The Lusty Men" (it's not what you're thinking) it's a 1952 movie filmed at the Livermore Rodeo starring Robert Mitchum & Susan Hayward. The trailer is hilarious, catch it on youtube.com.  Chili Shooters Stampede, Saturday, June 4th, 11am - 4pm.

There's nothing better to get you in the Western spirit than a good ol' western movie. Head on over to the Vine Cinema & Ale House for an evening of classic Western films. How long has it been since you've seen the original "True Grit" or "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"? And they're not just serving popcorn and Junior Mints anymore, how about a Crispy Fish Slider, Grilled Pear Salad or Buffalo Wings, and wash it down with a Lagunitas IPA?! Now that's not the Vine I went to in the 60's where we were throwing Jujubees!! Only $7.50, June 9th and 16th @ 7pm.

Rodeo week festivities kick-off June 8th with the 30th Annual Celebrity Cattle Penning and Rodeo Mixer, Family Night is FREE on June 9th featuring Local Team Roping and Wild Cow Milking, and hot dogs are only $1! June 10th is another FREE night where you can watch Professional Slack Roping. Bring the kids to the annual Livermore Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning, 10am on Second Street. Then strap on your spurs for the 93rd Annual Livermore Rodeo, the world's fastest! As always, their events include Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riding, Wild Cow Milking - a real crowd pleaser, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and of course the ultimate show - Bull Riding!! June 11th @ 12pm is the Lil Pardner's Rodeo, giving physically and mentally challenged children a day to experience the thrill of being a genuine cowboy or cowgirl.

If you're looking for some good ol' fashioned toe tappin' country music, pull on your boots and head down to the Bankhead Theater. It kicks off June 3rd with a fundraiser for the Alameda County CattleWomen, hosting cowboy entertainer Dave Stamey. He'll be singing the tale of Livermore's own bandit, Joaquin Murrieta (check out his video on youtube). Rodeo weekend gears up with Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams, with Texas Honky Tonk and Western Swing. A couple of my favorite songs include "Hey Bub" "My Other Car is an Appaloosa" and "Hippie in my House." Saturday night of the Rodeo features America's favorite singing cowboys, Riders in the Sky. Remember "Woody's Roundup" in Toy Story 2? Well, these are the fellas behind that tune! For details check out the calendar at www.bankheadtheater.org.

The Alameda County Fair is an absolute must-see on your Western heritage checklist. Celebrating 99 Years of Fair Fun, take a step back in time with blue ribbon winning quilts, jams and pies, grab a rack o' ribs at the World’s Largest BBQ, and witness the grilling of the World’s Largest Hamburger, or buy the best hand-raised beef, pork or lamb around at the Junior Livestock Auction and support your local 4-H & FFA. Bring your kids 6 and under for the Mutton Bustin’ – kids compete to be a Wool Warrior by riding a sheep in under 6 seconds! Enjoy the Bay Area’s best local country and western bands or headliners Tracy Lawrence, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels Band, and more for free with fair admission. And don't forget the live Horse Racing at the oldest one-mile racetrack in America! Kids are FREE on Fridays, Military & a guest are FREE July 1, Seniors are FREE on Thursdays. Fair runs from June 22nd - July 10th.

It's time to cowboy-up ya'll!!!