The Wild Women of the West and three-time gunslinging world champion Joey Dillon get ready to perform at the National Day of the Cowboy celebration held in Uptown Sedona on July 25, 2009.

National Day of the Cowboy ropes in Uptown

By Tommy Acosta

SEDONA, AZ (July 26, 2009) - It could not have been a better day for gunslingin’, trick roping and whip cracking than Sedona’s annual celebration of “National Day of the Cowboy” held Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Sponsored by Sedona Peace of Mind Home Watch Service, Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, Joe Wilcox Western Wear & Joe Wilcox Stage Emporium, Cowboy Corral Gang, A Day In The West and many local businesses with the Sedona Main Street Program, the event drew hundreds of onlookers to Uptown to catch the festivities, which included a parade down Jordan Road, craftsmen demonstrations, a mechanical bull ride, a contest for the best cowboy outfit for kids and adults, music by the Oak Creek Boys and lots of tasty treats for all to enjoy.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Rich Belfurie visiting from New York City with his wife Andrea and 5 year-old son Jeremiah. “We’re just a bunch of city slickers really and the only cowboys we’ve ever seen are in movies.”

Mountain Men try to keep cool in their animal-skin outfits.  Pictured, from left: Roxen, Jess and Jack of the Bill Williams.	This Wild Woman of The West keeps cool in the sun.

His son made a serious announcement.

“My daddy is going to buy me a horse as soon as we get back home,” he said to the incredulous look of his mother. “We can keep it in kitchen.”

“We’ll keep it in Daddy’s den,” she said winking to her husband. “The only problem is we live in a high-rise and your horse might not like taking an elevator to get home.”

Janet Rispoli, visiting from California, said she never saw such authentic looking cowboys.

“I go to rodeos but these cowboys look too real to be true,” she said. “Sedona is lucky to have an event like this. This is way cool. I’m gonna buy myself a cowgirl outfit while I am here.”

The event kicked off at 10:30 a.m. with the Jordan Road parade, featuring cowboys on horses, cowgirls, mounted posses and wagons.

Master of Ceremonies John Conway led the parade, which included Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, The Wild Women of the West, Camp Verde Calvary, Arizona Rangers-Verde Valley Company, Bill Williams Mountain Men, AAA Equestrian Center, Sedona Heritage Museum, M Diamond Ranch, Jill Young, and the Cowboy Mounted Shooters.

These three Navajo youth are proud of their heritage. Pictured from left: Tyler Cody, Jeremy Cody and Brian Benally.

Joey Dillon, a three-time world champion gun slinger, at high-noon, dazzled onlookers with an impressive display of gun twirling and spinning while keeping the crowd entertained with anecdotes about his two-and-one-half pound silver guns and the art of gunslinging itself.

“You can clap any time you want,” he said. “I’m really good at what I do.

Mr. Dillon works as a gun expert for the History Channel’s Wild West Tech series and has appeared in the HBO series “Deadwood” and other films.

Presently, he is featured on the front cover of the August issue of True West magazine for teaching Josh Brolin the fine art of gunslinging for an upcoming movie role.

Joining him for the show, were Rock Holiday (Gene Kurz), Mike Dearden, Natalie Kurz and Rena Dearden, performing rope tricks, cracking whips and enacting a shoot-out.

Mr. Kurz has also appeared in the HBO series “Deadwood” and plays Johnny Ringo in Tombstone reenactments.

Other sponsors of the event included Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, the Cowboy Club, Sedona Trolley, Florange Signs and Designs.

According to Mr. Kurz, this year’s event was the best and biggest so far.

“We’ve quadrupled in size,” he said.