Yee-Haw! Banning Stagecoach Days (Sep. 7-9th)

Fast-draw contests, steer roping and lots of outdoor music and food will be part of this year’s Banning Stagecoach Days festival, which gets under way this afternoon and continues through the weekend.

The annual event is being held at A.C. Dysart Park, located at Victory
Avenue and 22nd Street.

An Old West town mockup will serve as the entertainment hub, featuring
quick-draw competitions, trap shooting and simulated gunfights between lawmen
and bad guys.

Most of the festival fare will be available Saturday and Sunday.
However, a carnival will open at 5 p.m. today, featuring a dog show and live
music.

A parade and rodeo are scheduled Saturday at 10 a.m., with Rep. Mary
Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, serving as grand marshal. Stagecoach rides and a
kids’ zone with clowns and a merry-go-round are also planned.
Vendors will be on hand, selling food, crafts and other wares.

A “western saloon” offering a varied selection of brews will be open. Bands
slated to play on the main stage include the Radio Flyers and Nitro Express.

On Sunday, following a cowboy church service, mock gun battles and a
Zumba dance-off are planned.

The daily price of admission is $6 for adults and $2 for kids under 10.