Empire Ranch Foundation

2026 Cowboy Festival Program

2026 Cowboy Festival Preliminary Program

Updated September 21, 2026

ARENA DEMONSTRATIONS—Matt Griffin AKA DJ GATOR, MC

  • Presentation of colors–B-Troop, 4th US Cavalry (legacy)
  • 10am–Regi Richter Basinger Horsemanship
  • 10.30am–Jesse Forbes (gun spinning, rope tricks, and whip cracking)
  • 10.45am–Tombstone Ghost Riders (Mounted Shooting)
  • 11.30am–Kids Stick Horse Races
  • 11.45am–BLM Wild Horse & Burro Demo
  • 12.30pm–Vail Family Presentation
  • 12.45pm–Kids Stick Horse Races
  • 1pm–Jesse Forbes (gun spinning, rope tricks, and whip cracking)
  • 1.15pm– Regi Richter Basinger Horsemanship
  • 1.45pm–Tombstone Ghost Riders (Mounted Shooting)
  • 2.30pm–BLM Wild Horse & Burro Demo
  • 3.15pm–Kids Stick Horse Races
  • 3:30pm–Jesse Forbes (gun spinning, rope tricks, and whip cracking)

MUSIC 

John Adams, John Anderson, Russ Barnard, Ken Brown, Louise Courtney, Cathy Honea, strolling musicians

 DEMONSTRATIONS

  • Animal Husbandry — Yana Carter, YEA Farms
  • Code of the West — John & Phyllis Whalen
  • Silversmithing — Byrd Moss

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

WESTERN AUTHORS

TRAIL RIDES

Take a 45-minute trail ride. Rides start at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm for $50 each.. Riders must be age 8 or older; a parent/guardian must ride with children under 18 years of age.

Click below to reserve your ride online by November 4, 2026! Rides sell out quickly and may not be available on the day of the event.

SIDE BY SIDE RIDES

See the Empire Ranch from a different perspective on our new Side-by-Side Rides. 45-Minute rides depart at 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm and 3:15pm. The cost is $75 per person. Children must ride with an adult.

Click below to reserve your ride online by November 4, 2026! Rides sell out quickly and may not be available on the day of the event.

GREAT LUNCH GRUB

  • BlackJack Citrus Infusions (lemonades and iced teas)
  • Gunny’s Barbeque LLC
  • The Kettle Corn Connection (freshly popped Kettle corn in a variety of flavors)
  • Papa’s Pretzels (Bavarian hand made pretzels with sides, ice cream novelties, confections, cold drinks)
  • Rocking T Treats (BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, quesadillas, all beef hot dogs, different flavors of Kettle corn, soda, water, slushies)

STEAK FRY DINNER (Friday, November 6th at 4pm)

Dinner ($35/plate) includes Beef Brisket or Grilled Chicken with Cream Corn, Spicy Potatoes, BBQ Beans, and Dinner Rolls plus Texas Sheet Cake for dessert!  New this year is a Cash Bar serving local beers, wines from Los Milics Vineyards, and non-alcoholic beverages from Lost Bar Cart! Musician Jay Faircloth will entertain you while Arizona Card Expert Steve Ehlers will amaze you.

Last day to purchase Steak-Fry tickets is NOVEMBER 3, 2026!

VENDORS

  • Firesky Farms Lavender Farm (everything lavender, from bath and beauty, to culinary and essential oils.)
  • GG Jewels (decorated and painted jewelry and miscellaneous items up-cycled from silverware, copper, leather, wind chimes, Western jewelry)
  • Lizzy’s Treats and Treasures (pet treats, gifts and apparel and dog tag engraving)
  • Sparkles and Sweets (beaded outdoor sun catchers/chandeliers, key chains, decorative horseshoes, and homemade peanut brittle)
  • Thats Just Bull Designs (handmade cowhide and leather purses and accessories)
  • Wendy’s Timeless Treasures (vintage Native American jewelry)

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