148 park visitors and guests were on hand on Saturday, November 2nd as we celebrated our annual “Western Day at the Adobe”.

Guests included the Congressional Gunfighters of America, who performed a reenactment complete with black powder weapons and spoke with visitors of the old west with their display of tools 49ers used during the gold rush. Gunfighters Eric Lientz and Lee Shebloski showed park visitors how to pan for gold. Joe Hoberg, blacksmith from Rush Ranch in Suisun, and Paul Corning, a member of the California Blacksmith Association, set up a temporary black smith shop and demonstrated blacksmithing for park visitors.

Members of the Buffalo Soldiers Sacramento’s Company G of the 10th Cavalry, the 19th-century all-Black Army unit reenactment group set up camp complete with artifacts soldiers would have used.  Trooper William Terrell, a descendant of a Buffalo Soldier, told me the volunteer group was formed 32 years ago.  He was joined by three fellow troopers including Trooper Herb Terry who shared how the Buffalo Soldiers served in the Old West from 1867 to 1896.

Local Author Lee Martin, author of over 30 Western novels, numerous screenplays, from which three Western movies have been made, including 2013’s Shadow on the Mesa, featuring Kevin Sorbo, 2021’s Last Shoot Out, featuring Bruce Dern, and 2022’s The Desperate Riders, featuring Trace Adkins and Tom Berenger.  Lee chatted and signed books for park visitors.  Native American docents James and Armando shared information of their Native American heritage as 5th generation Peña, Cecelia led tours of the Peña Adobe. Music was provided by McBride Senior Center’s Vacaville Jammers, and in the meantime, everyone enjoyed a hot dog lunch!

Join us next year for our annual “Western Day at the Adobe” for a day of family fun!