‘Yee-Haw’s and Outlaws at Carlsbad’s Annual Wild West Fest

Photo courtesy of Visit Carlsbad

A woman in a red hot chili suit led a group of all ages dancing to the Cupid Shuffle, while onlookers grinned and tapped their feet to the beat. Nearby a line of nearly ten middle-school aged children lined up in front of the mechanical bull, dressed head to toe in their best western outfits. Vibrantly colored peacocks were free to meander, occasionally making a “gawking” noise to call to their friends.

On May 21, 2016 the Carlsbad Community gathered at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park to participate in the annual Wild West Fest activities and to remember Leo Carrillo’s impact on the history of their neighborhood.

From 11am-2pm, hundreds of guests came together for a good time in the “Wild West” with free admission, $6 Activity Cards, and $3 salsa and root beer tasting. Purchase of the activity cards gave guests access to their choice of arts and crafts, petting zoo, photo booth, pony ride, and of course, a mechanical bull ride.

Tonya Rodzach, Arts Education Coordinator at the City of Carlsbad, displayed a sample craft of a construction paper cowboy boot with peacock feathers colored onto it: “We wanted to use inspiration from the peacocks that roam the ranch, and the historic, cattle ranch itself.” The craft tables primarily attracted the younger crowd, but Rodzach insisted they were for all ages.

The event brought together not only arts and craft lovers, but also salsa aficionados with the fun and competitive salsa contest. The contestants brought one gallon of their best homemade salsa, and chips and tasting cups were purchased by the participating taste testers for $3. The salsa was judged in many categories, including best fruit salsa, hottest salsa, and best presentation. The winners took home a beautiful ceramic plaque made especially for this event. This attraction was a hit for people of all ages, because hey, who doesn’t like salsa?

Photo courtesy of Visit Carlsbad

One special attraction that could be accessed through the activity card was the petting zoo, brought in by the Wildomar ranch, Oliver Livestock. Children of all ages had smiles from ear to ear as they walked into the

corral and got the chance to pet the sweet, mild-mannered farm animals including geese, goats, llamas, a calf, and a rabbit. A crowd favorite was the three week old camel, which ranch hand, Shelly Burkey, who was working the petting zoo said “rode all the way from Temecula to Carlsbad on her lap.”

Down the hill from the petting zoo was the popular Pony Rides attraction. One by one, children were set up on their pony, anticipating the gentle live merry-go-round. A little boy about three or four years old started sobbing when he was set on the pretty palomino, but as soon as the pony ride started, the tears stopped and the smiles and laughter commenced.

Photo by Jessie Taylor

The Wild West Fest was just one of the many community events that are held throughout the year at this historic, Southern California styled cattle ranch. The 1700 acre property was purchased in 1937 by Hollywood actor Leo Carrillo for mere $17 per acre. After two years of construction, the property was transformed into a full functioning cattle ranch with a beautiful adobe estate equipped with a pool, cantina, and a carriage house.

In 1989, years after Carrillo’s death, the majority of the property was acquired by the Carrillo Ranch Partnership, which mostly used the land for home development, while the core 10.5 acres of ranch was left to the City of Carlsbad and turned into a historical park.

Carlsbad resident, Leah Montgomery who lives right down the street said this event brought her to the ranch for the first time in years.

Montgomery said, “This was a great event to expose the community to the awesome history of our neighborhood. I think Leo Carrillo would be happy to know his ranch is a place where the community can come together and have a good time.”