News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Calico Days Ends Sunday

Calico Days Ends Sunday

Three-Day Event Began Yesterday

By Michael P. Neufeld
Saturday, October 11, 2008

Calico Ghost Town – Actor and producer Scott Shepherd, who played The Lone Ranger from 2000-2002, and singing cowboy Ernie Sites, will act as Co-Grand Marshals for the Calico Days Parade taking place at noon today (October 11) at Calico Ghost Town.

Scott Shepherd will serve as Co-Grand Marshal of the Calico Days Parade on Saturday. (Photo by Regional Parks.)

Special dignitaries include First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt and San Bernardino County Sheriff Gary Penrod who will be participating in the parade and enjoying the day's activities.

Calico Days is a three-day celebration of the ghost town's Wild West silver mining history. The event begins tonight (October 10) with a costume contest at the Calico House Restaurant.

The streets are filled with women in hoop skirts, bustles, hats and parasols. Men dressed as miners, cowboys, lawmen and Indians will roam the town. Winners of the costume contest will lead Saturday's parade to kick off the celebration.

(Photo by Germaneon.)

Scott Shepherd is the official appointed actor to portray The Lone Ranger in TV commercials, talk show appearances and nationwide tours. In addition to his role as the legendary cowboy, Shepherd is also a film producer. His National Lampoon's Cattle Call movie was released May 2008 and its sequel, Cattle Call Las Vegas, is currently in development. He is also in development on two film projects with Sean Bridgers of HBO's Deadwood.

Ernie Sites has thrilled Calico Days audiences in the past with his singing of his western songs, storytelling, yodeling and trick roping. In addition to being a Co-Grand Marshall of the Calico Day Parade, Sites will be performing during the weekend event.

Calico Days ensures fun for the entire family during the October 10-12 celebration. In addition to performances by Ernie Sites, Speedbuggy USA, the Los Angeles country-rock-a-billy band, will be featured on the main stage. The Lewis Family, of Wild West performers, will delight the audience with rope tricks.

Main events of the Calico Days celebration will be a burro run, challenging competitors to lead their burro through an obstacle course spanning the length of Main Street. There is also the popular Miner's Triathlon where men and women will battle it out, competing in rock pulling, muck-raking and arm wrestling; and the ever popular greased pole climb. There will be games and contests for adults and children alike.

Admission for this event is $10 for adults, $5 children 6-15 and children under 6 are free. For additional information about the weekend's events or about Calico Ghost Town, please call 1-800-TO-CALICO or http://www.calicotown.com.

See Calico Days for more information.