How The West Was Fun

If you happen to be one of those quaint locals who’s legitimately a native Arizonan, no doubt you suffered through a few sleep-inducing history classes concerning cowboys and Indians while growing up in these parts. Thing is, our fair state’s rough and rumble past was actually quite dynamic and action-packed,...

By Benjamin Leatherman

October 18, 2012

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If you happen to be one of those quaint locals who’s legitimately a native Arizonan, no doubt you suffered through a few sleep-inducing history classes concerning cowboys and Indians while growing up in these parts.

Thing is, our fair state’s rough and rumble past was actually quite dynamic and action-packed, which is perfectly illustrated by the gun-toting and lively activities that will take place during the Wild Western Festival at Saguaro Ranch Park, 9802 North 59th Avenue in Glendale. Kicking off on Friday, October 19, this three-day historical hootenanny and festival of country-fried antics, described as “a wild west renaissance festival,” will feature such down-home thrills as stunt shows and gunfights. The schedule also includes such events as wheelbarrow races, pie-eating and hollering contests, performances by cowboy crooners, steampunk costume contests, blacksmithing demonstrations, and Dr. Buck's Ol' Time Country Fair.

Fri., Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2012

Benjamin Leatherman is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where he focuses primarily on arts, culture, music and nightlife. He joined New Times in 2003. Prior to that, he contributed to magazines such as Tips & Tricks and The Wrestler. Benjamin has earned multiple awards from the Arizona Press Club including an award for sports enterprise reporting in 2009 and an award for statewide arts reporting in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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