NORCO: Day of the American Cowboy celebration set

Get in touch with your Wild West self and celebrate Horsetown USA’s 5th Annual National Day of the American Cowboy on July 27 and 28.

Presented by Polly’s Pies, Norco is hosting a family event which helps preserve America’s cowboy and Western heritage. The weekend event is at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center to honor the heritage of the West and the cowboy values that helped build our country. Gates open at 10 a.m. and opening ceremonies will be at noon.

Admission is $5 per person, 10 and under free. Parking is $2 per vehicle. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.

The festivities on Saturday will begin with a grand entry celebration featuring a performance from a Pony Express rider where the sheriff saves the day from ruthless bandits.

A presentation of flags from all 50 states by riders on horseback will follow. The day’s activities will continue with cow-chip tossing and the Mane Attraction equestrian drill team.

Participation events are ranch sorting and cowboy obstacle course; each has an additional $4.98 per person per run entrance fee.

Contestant arrival/signups: 8 a.m.; start: 10 a.m. Team Ribbon and Sled Races will take place for additional afternoon competition.

Heel-O-Matic signups begin at noon with roping starting at 1 p.m. Entries are limited. Entry fees apply.

Children’s Dummy Roping begins at 10 a.m. and is free to participate (three divisions, 5 and under, 6-9 and 10-13).

Saturday’s event continues with the Pacific Coast Junior Bull Riders Rodeo, including the Mutton Bustin and Bull Riding.

Also, enjoy a Cowboy BBQ Dinner ($10 per person) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and live concert in Moreno Arena featuring The Silverados from 7 to 9.

Overnight camping and horse stalls are available Saturday night only. Camping applications are available at www.ci.norco.ca.us.

Sunday starts with cowboy breakfast ($4 per person) at 7 a.m. followed by cowboy church with Pastor Fred Griffin at 8. The day’s activities include sorting and extreme cowboy races. A trail ride departs from Ingalls Park at 10. Sunday is free admission and parking.

For more information on this event, call 951-377-7040 or visit www.ci.norco.ca.us.