Empire Ranch Foundation

2026 Cowboy Festival Program

2026 Cowboy Festival Preliminary Program

Updated November 1, 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)
  • Sonoita Royalty–Rodeo Flag Presentations between events

MUSIC 

John Anderson, Russ Barnard,  Louise Courtney, Annie Gort, Cathy Honea, and Dave Polston strolling musicians

COWBOY CONVERSATIONS

  • 10:30am — Laura Ingram Semilian “Founding Stories: The Founding of the Empire Ranch and the Vail Legacy”
  • 11:30am – Rick Collins “Danger Road: Portraits of Travel Through the Sonoita Valley”
  •  1:30pm — Steve Boice & Faith Boice McCabe “Continuing the Legacy: The Boice Era”
  •  2:30pm — Gene Freese, Marti Freese, Bunker de France “150 Years of Ranching: The Impact of the Movies on the Empire Ranch”

 DEMONSTRATIONS

  • Animal Husbandry — Yana Carter, YEA Farms
  • Blacksmith Art – Ron Applegate
  • Branding & Branding Tools — Bill Schock
  • Cowboy Gear and Clothing —The Authentic Old West Living History Association, Chris Rivera
  • Gunfighting —The Vigilantes of Tombstone*
  • Horseshoeing — Tyler Basinger
  • Painting –Sonoran Plein Air Painters
  • Reata Making — Dick Schorr & Barb Collins
  • Saddle Donkeys — Tricia Hall
  • Silversmithing — Byrd Moss
  • Telegraphy/Historical Writing — Joseph Mortimer

*The Vigilantes of Tombstone will be performing a shootout at 11:30am and 2:00pm on the road in front of the Gift Shop.

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 $55 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.

GREAT LUNCH GRUB

  • Baking by Jason (semifreddo, waffle tacos and cones stuffed with semifreddo,  semifreddo floats)
  • BlackJack Citrus Infusions (lemonades and iced teas)
  • Gunny’s Barbeque LLC (burgers, dogs, brats, Italians, Polish, pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, chips, soda)
  • 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)
  • Road Running Wood Fired Pizza (12″ wood fired pizzas)
  • 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

  • Bisbee Oil N’ Vinegar, Co. (balsamic Vinegar, EVOO, BBQ sauce, hot sauces, local honeys, drink mixers, pastas, teas)
  • Buck It Outlet (horse tack, western themed candles and wax melts, and leather goods)
  • Dos S Ranch ~ Ranch to Table (handcrafted, small-batch jellies, jams, syrups, candied jalapeños, seasonal sweets, gift baskets, and handmade rope creations)
  • 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)
  • Goodluck Indian Arts (handmade sterling silver Native American jewelry and crafts; hand sewn clothing and bags and accessories)
  • 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)
  • The Prickly Patio (handmade leather bags, wallets, holsters, sheaths, home goods, jewelry, hair accessories, keychains and luggage tags)
  • Thompson Woodworking (handmade wooden pens/pencils, wooden puzzles/games. 3D printed pens/pen holders and various animal prints)
  • TuckerMade Creations (baked goodies, sublimation tumblers, homemade hot sauce/BBQ sauce, 3D prints)
  • Untamed Confections (all natural honey caramels and organic chocolate confections, and Sonoran Desert wildflower honey)
  • Wendy’s Timeless Treasures (vintage Native American jewelry)
  • Wild Essence Wellness (local raw honey infused honey, herbal teas, bee pollen, herbal tinctures, hot tea)
  • Willoughby Woodworking (household handmade wooden items ranging from cutting boards to furniture)

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