The flavor of the Old West returning to downtown

The City of Porterville Parks and Leisure Services in conjunction with the Zalud House will start a new tradition in Porterville on Oct. 13 — the Zalud House Museum Pioneer Days and Rib Cook-Off.

The day-long event — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — will recreate the flavor of the Old West in downtown thanks to the support and participation of the Jackass Mail Run committee that will hold its popular shoot out.

The event is a fundraiser to preserve and protect the Zalud House Museum.
Built in 1891, the Zalud House is one of the few houses of that era that has not undergone remodeling. It has the mansard roof construction, which makes the house unique in its style of architecture.

From the time the house was built, only the Zalud family lived in the home which sits on the corner of D Street and Morton Avenue. In fact, it is one of the few museums in the nation that is furnished entirely with the original owners’ possessions. The house was given to the City of Porterville by the Zalud families youngest daughter, Pearle, when she died in 1970.
The Zalud House is listed in the National Historical Registry of Old Houses and in the National Register of Historic Places.

Organizers say downtown Porterville will be transformed into a vision from the Old West, complete with historic activities and displays, a live shoot out on Main Street, horse drawn vehicle rides, period costumes and re-enactments, Kiwanis Kids Korner, Pioneer Days Queen Pageant, music and entertainment and more.

The flavor of the Old West will come alive with the Rib Cook-Off. The barbecue event is open to any and all amateur backyard barbecue enthusiasts who want to compete for their chance to win cash prizes or the People’s Choice trophy. Parks and Leisure Services is searching for participants to enter the Rib Cook-Off. Cost to enter is $100 and the ribs will be provided.  

Young Women age 14-20 years old are also being sought to compete in the 2012 Pioneer Days Queen pageant. All proceeds raised by the event will go directly to the preservation of the Zalud House Museum. Contestants will be judged on ticket sales (50%), personality (20%), oral presentation (20%) and appearance/attire (10%). The winner will keep 25% of their ticket sales, with second place keeping 20% of their sales and third place keeping 15% of their sales.

Entry packets for both the Pioneer Days Queen Pageant and the Rib Cook-Off are available for pick up in the Parks and Leisure Services Department inside the Porterville City Hall.

The Zalud House Museum Pioneer Days and Rib Cook-Off is sponsored by Paranormal Movement Investigations, Walmart DC, J&R Meat Company, Theresa Sheridan Designs and the Jackass Mail Run Committee.

For more information, call Tonya Hall at 782-7521.