The Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival, held in November, is the Foundation’s annual public event celebrating Arizona’s Western history and culture. Previously called the Roundup & Open House (2000-2017) the Festival also showcases Bureau of Land Management and Empire Ranch Foundation’s efforts to preserve the Empire Ranch for future generations. Each year more than 3,000 visitors come to the ranch to enjoy Western heritage demonstrations, arena and livestock exhibits, cowboy cooking and Western entertainment.

Plan to Join Us for the 2025 Cowboy Festival.

Festival Program:

Arena Demonstrations:

Cienega High School NJROTC Presentation of Colors
Florence Prison and BLM Wild Horse and Burro Training
Regi Basinger Horsemanship
Tombstone Ghost Riders

Music:

The Ramblin’ Rangers
Doug Figgs
John Anderson & Ken Brown, strolling musicians

Demonstrations:

Animal Husbandry - Yana Carter
Blacksmithing - Ron Applegate
Code of the West - Margaret Vail re-enactment & knife display
Cowboy Clothing, Hollywood vs. Reality-Chris Rivera & Gerry Lawford
Falconry - Thomas Boulton
Horseshoeing - Tyler Basinger
Leather Bag Lacing for Kids-Mark Ellis & Rick Collins
Roping - Kurt Schild
Saddles, Evolution of Military & Cowboy - Mark Ellis & Rick Collins
Silversmithing - Byrd Moss
Telegraph Operation - Joe Mortimer
Western Sketching - Chip Travers

Non Profit Organizations:

Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.
Friends of Sahuarita Community 4-H Club
Horse’n Around Rescue
Oro Valley Historical Society
Santa Cruz County Cowbelles
Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Western Authors:

Doug Hocking
Lewis Kirts

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 register online. Online registration ends on October 29th.

Click Here to Register

Great Lunch Grub:

BlackJack Citrus Infusions (lemonades and iced teas)
Gunny’s Barbeque (burgers, dogs, brats, Italians, Polish, pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, chips, soda)
Las Vigas (Mexican food)
Papa’s Pretzels (artesian hand made Bavarian pretzels, coffee, hot drinks)
The Kettle Corn Connection (freshly popped Kettle corn in a variety of flavors)

Steak Fry Dinner (Friday, October 31st at 4pm):

Dinner ($45/plate) includes Grilled Tri-Tip Steak, Cream Corn, Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls with Texas Sheet Cake for dessert! Musician Andy Hershey will entertain you as you relax and enjoy dinner in the historic Adobe Hay Barn.  TICKETS ARE LIMITED so make your reservation now by clicking the link below.

Click Here to Buy Tickets

Vendors:

Cheryl’s Jams and Jellies (homemade jams and jellies, candied pecans, local honey, homemade all purpose seasoning blend)
Firesky Farms Lavender Farm (Elgin-grown lavender culinary and bath and beauty products)
GG Jewels (women’s hats, western jewelry)
Joyce Hansen (vintage collection of Western-themed books, photos, collectables)
Little Pop of Joy (caramel corn mix consisting of popcorn, pretzels, crunchy rice cereal and pecans in a variety of flavors)
L N L Leatherworks (leather products, hand sew, hand cut and tooled)
Painted Windmill Ranch (decorated cowboy boots with Christmas lights, jewelry, new western saddle, lots of bling, donkey pillows)
Thats Just Bull Designs (handmade cowhide and leather handbags and accessories, logo t-shirts and canvas bags)
The Plaid Buffalo Candle Co. (100% “better for you” soy candles, wax melts, car air fresheners)
Williams Crafts (usable wood products - some with turquoise inlay)
Windsor Hat Shoppe (hats, sea glass jewelry, cork products, 3-D printed items)