Palm Springs WestFest Flaunts Fun

By Jeff Black April 21, 2011

The second annual Palm Springs WestFest and Frank Bogert Memorial PRCA  Rodeo, presented by Spa Resort Casino, rode into town on March 25-27. Former mayor Frank Bogert was a cowboy and a celebrated rodeo whose statue adorns the commons area in front of Palm Springs City Hall. WestFest and the rodeo in Bogert’s honor were a fantastic and exciting combination of Western lifestyle, music, sports, arts and culture taking place in a beautiful setting – sunny Palm Springs, California.

The rodeo competition, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), featured mostly riders from southern California. Key events included steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, saddleback bronc riding and bull riding. The near-capacity crowd was clearly excited to see the bull riding competition, often called “the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.” The various contests showcased superbly skilled talents, as well as plenty of sheer guts. There were some misses, near misses and “the calves that got away.” Preceding the riding competition was a marvelous display of gymnastic riding by a group of daredevil cowgirls, the youngest of which was all of 12 years! These girls gave the testosterone crowd a run for its money.

The WestFest exhibit area included acres of booths selling everything from jewelry to cowboy leather goods, Western wear, homemade jerky and jams. There were plenty of rides for the kids, including a ferris wheel and pony rides. Among the highlights of the WestFest exhibit area was the TwangFest Music Stage. The line-up included a vast range of music styles from cowboy music (Gary Allegretto) to western swing (The Saddle Cats) to cowboy blues. Headlining Friday evening was a solid set from country singer songwriter Jann Browne.

No rodeo festival can be complete without a food court. Booths offering deep-fried turkey legs and catfish, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, and Philly-style cheese steak sandwiches had the largest lines. The smell of freshly-made funnel cakes topped off the carnival atmosphere. Saturday was the Bogerty BBQ Showdown with nearly half a dozen smoked BBQ vendors competing for the top prize.

The WestFest also featured a three-day Western film festival, showcasing  America’s Favorite Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry. The screenings included fully restored films and episodes of The Gene Autry Show television series. Master trainer Paul Ortuno led a clinic entitled “Understanding Your Horse.” The skills he drew upon come from a lifetime of training horses that range from dancing Andalusians to the gauchos mounts of Argentina and vaqueros of Nevada.

Outside the entrance to the midway there was a small protest of people with signs addressing the issue of treatment to animals in rodeo. The Palm Springs WestFest and Frank Bogert Memorial PRCA Rodeo issued a statement on the fair treatment of rodeo animals. Christopher Burkhardt, CEO of the event’s  producer, Spur of the Moment said, “(The) Frank Bogert Memorial PRCA Rodeo and all rodeos sanctioned by the PRCA treat and care for the animal athletes that participate in rodeos. We are pleased to help preserve the heritage of rodeo and showcase healthy livestock well suited to the sport.”

The Palm Springs WestFest will benefit several local charities that provide vital services to local residents in need, including education, youth scholarships, health care, youth care, family and emergency care, and military personnel services.

As an urban dweller living in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles, all I can say is I am making my reservations for next year. And this time, I’ll bring the kids!

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