Guns and goggles adorned most patrons this weekend at the seventh annual Wild Western Festival at Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale, Ariz. Cowboys and steampunks — a Victorian science-fiction roleplaying genre — competed in costume contests and shopped at various vendors throughout the three day affair, which took place Oct. 19-21, 2012.
The festival’s coordinator, known as Dr. Buck, says nearly 8,000 people were in attendance over the weekend. Award-winning performances were held on three stages throughout the park including two-time world champion hoop dancer, Scott Sinquah. Magic shows, musical acts and world champion Gary “Bad-Dog” Bennet and his horse, Blue-Eyed Jack, provided entertainment for all. Saturday also included a wedding at Sahuaro Ranch Park, something Dr. Buck did not expect.
The western costumes and atmosphere indulged festival-goers with the cowboy scene Arizona is known for.
Aubrey Chacon pets a mounted event staff member’s horse.
Patrons wore boots of every style, including some with the staple of the Wild West: spurs.
Christina Hepker cracks a whip in the dusty pathways of the park.
Emily Bauer (left) and Rebecca Bauer pose before they enter the children’s costume contest together.
Gary “Bad Dog” Bennet rears his well-trained horse, Blue Eyed Jack, showing off his horsemanship skills.
Whip in hand, Bennet reminds the audience to never discipline a horse with anything other than your open hand.
Bennet speaks to a swelling crowd near the end of the day.
Steampunk explorer, Linda Gregerson, waits patiently for the judging of the costume contest.
With his badge over his heart, Ray Miller looks over the crowd at the Wild Western Festival.
Rhianna Shepard strolls through the festival sporting a fashionable steampunk costume and modified Nerf gun.
A contestant in the costume contest, Ronda Adair, waits for her round to begin.
Two-time world champion hoop dancer, Scott Sinquah, leads a friendship dance with members of the audience.
Tom B. Stone, a theatrical character and member of a variety act, sips on some sarsaparilla.
Reach the writer and photographer at lschleic@asu.edu
