Second Pioneer Days a hit

Boom... sounded the Civil war canon, operated by Clamper Bill Horst, as Porterville riders and members of the Hocketsville gang rode up Main Street on Saturday. The leaders of the two groups quickly exchanged words and with a bang, bang, bang; the fight was on at the second annual Pioneer Days on Saturday. After much shooting, twisting and ye hawing the Porterville Riders chased off the gang.

“I want to see it again. I wanna be one of the good guys,” said Cohen Lopez a second grader at Rockford. His grandmother Melissa Walsh explained that it was their first time attending the event.

Across the street was another first time attendee family that of Maria Escamilla, her husband Gonzalo and their boys Jonathan and Christopher.  

“I liked horses best,” said Jonathan Escamilla

His brother enjoyed the scene more.

“Where they fight,” said Christopher Escamilla in response to what his favorite part was.

The day consisted of two shoot outs, made up of re enactors, members of the Jack Ass Mail run and other volunteers, a rib cook-off and a queen contest. The latter two helped to raise money for the maintenance of the Zalud house.

“It’s been good. We want to make this an annual event,” said Heather Huerta the curator of the Zalud House. “The Zalud House is an icon for Porterville. We want it to stay alive,” stated Huerta whose husband Benny was one of the re enactors.

Benny Huerta, decked out in Cowboy hat with a real pistol, explained his purpose for taking part in the event.

“We really enjoy what we’re doing here, bringing it all downtown, letting people have fun and some history,” said Benny Huerta.

Near one of the rib stands William and Julie Clifton had their hands full with ribs, bags, and kids.

“This is a pretty neat experience with the cannonballs, said Julie Clifton who added that the only thing missing was toothpicks and wipes. The couple with their two kids were in attendance to support Julie’s cousin Doug Welch.

“Doug is our family cook. He does all of our family barbecues,” said William Clifton.

Over near the beer garden, in the shade, Copper the Appaloosa horse was almost asleep. Her owner ex-wagon master Richard Camarena gave his parting thoughts.

“It was a good turn out. A lot of people like to see reenactments, said Camarena who has been participating in the Jack Ass Mail Run for the past 29 years and had to learn to ride a horse.

“Riding horses to me is like meditating. It’s relaxing,” added Camarena.

Sponsors of the event included The Porterville City Parks and Leisure and the Paranormal Movement Investigations.

Rib Cook-Off Winners

First Place-Welch’s BBQ-Doug Welch-$450
Second Place- Kick Rock BBQ-$350
Third Place- Skip Sticky Sauce- Skip Thompson-$250

People’s Choice:

Welch’s BBQ-Will receive a plaque.

Queen: Teah Davis

Princess: Mikayla Carrillo.