Jay Eastin, 49, a Riverside resident, dressed as an Old-West sheriff, said Saturday was the 10th year his "Guns and Garters" group participated in the Harvest Fair. "It's not difficult walking in spurs," he said. "What gets difficult is walking up and down stairs."

Ken Joswiak, who has organized the fair in all of its 28 years, said the event evolved steadily until 1992, when the western-themed event took off. "We had a cardboard jail," he said. "We used to have to beg Old-West groups to come out and perform. Now, they're calling us." Joswiak, standing next to a wooden and sturdy western "jail," said the four-day event, which continues into next week, usually draws about 8,000 visitors.

San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris could be easily spotted despite his period costume that included a cowboy hat and fake mustache. His wife, Sally, 69, was busy nearby pushing a stroller and shepherding three grandchildren. "We can't get lost. We're right here exploring old western life," she said. "It's a way to take them out of their parents' hair for a day."

Red Steagall’s music and poetry career spans 35 years and the entire world, having performed at the White House and on three overseas tours. He is a world renowned songwriter, recording artist, entertainer, radio, television and motion picture personality. He wrote countless western lifestyle songs and poetry books, and hosts the syndicated radio program “Cowboy Corner” that plays on 170 stations across America.

The headliner for Friday’s “official” opening evening is songwriter and entertainer Dan Roberts. Dan spent 18 years in Nashville writing songs, including some for country superstar Garth Brooks. When he teamed up with Brooks and Bryan Kennedy to write the #1 smash "The Beaches of Cheyenne", Roberts was off and running. He performed as Garth Brooks’ opening act longer than anyone else in Brooks’ touring career. His talents have won him many awards including 2001 Male Vocal of the Year and 2002 Entertainer of the Year from the Academy of Western Artists and three Grammy nominations, and the 2004 Terry Awards Entertainer of the Year. Also performing on Friday will be the nationally recognized and award-winning western poet Yvonne Hollenbeck, singer Nancy Lee, and cowboy poet Gary Robertson. Dave Bourne, featured on the hit HBO series “Deadwood,” to start each performance with his entertaining saloon piano music.

In addition to the Friday and Saturday night shows, there will be two days of an Outdoor Mercantile and entertainment on the grounds of Big Bear Lake’s City Hall. Admission to the daytime festivities is FREE. The lively characters from Pistols and Petticoats will keep everyone laughing with their skits. There will be a stage coach rides and purveyors of fine things Western to tempt you with their wares. Children’s activities include rope tying and pony rides to a petting zoo and a bounce house. Beverages & food will be available.

Bill Kinsey, 51, of Colton, appropriately portrays none other than Buffalo Bill. Kinsey said he is often mistaken for Wild Bill Hickok, but quickly reminds those who make that error that, while the two were friends in the Old West, he's Buffalo Bill.

"I read a lot of books about Buffalo Bill and try to get as much knowledge as I can about him," Kinsey said. "I always try to put more and more into my character."

Having performed for more than 13 years, Kinsey said he continues to get a kick out of helping the audience see some history while also being entertained.

"We do a lot of comedy in our skits and I think the audience really enjoys that," he said.

Admission and parking at Frontier Days is free.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com

Last Saturday evening I visited the revival of the Lake Elsinore Frontier Days carnival put on by the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce at the new Alberhill Ranch Park (off Lake Street) and I had a blast.

This may be a stretch from the usual column but there were moving parts.

Celebrating Lake Elsinore’s 120th year of cityhood, there were carnival games, rides, corn dogs, smoothies, friendly vendors, music, a western gun show put on by Pistols and Petticoats and tours of the Sheriff’s Department’s motorbikes and Station 85’s fire truck.

How did this all appear to just happen?

Kim Joseph Cousins, president of the chamber, explained, “I grew up in Buena Park. I remember as a kid enjoying the annual Silverado Days, which, by the way, is still a very strong and well-known annual event in that city.

“We want to continue celebrating our city’s history and provide a traditional family fun carnival on the grass for the kiddies to remember. I truly believe we have achieved laying the groundwork for future carnivals in the park, ’cause Saturday night we had 7,000 people here.”

City Councilman Bob Magee is optimistic about the future of Lake Elsinore’s Frontier Days: “I had fun. I would like to see this grow in popularity and continue to gain community participation.

“It would be great if our local volunteer organizations could participate next year to keep our growing community informed about services and opportunities from service groups such as the Trauma Intervention Advisory Committee, Historical Society, Animal Friends of the Valley, the Women’s Club, HOPE, et cetera.

“This would be a perfect venue for the public to know what other events and services they are contributing to in our city throughout the year.”

Frontier Days event promoter Tony Trafton of Temecula owns Trafton Company. You may be very familiar with his company.

Trafton operates the food stands at other well-known events such as the LA County Fair, Orange County Fair, San Diego County Fair and the Farmer’s Fair at the Perris State Fairgrounds.

Trafton’s father was the fair manager for many years at the Pomona Fairplex. “I got started in the family business when I was 8 years old back in 1966,” said Trafton. “My grandfather owned the Long Beach Pike.

“We also have produced the Murrieta Block Party for three years in a row now with a yearly attendance of 25,000 each time.

“I’ve been in this business all my life and I consider [the block party’s attendance] to be a positive reflection on what the community is wanting.”

Ruth Adkins of the Lake Elsinore Historical Society told me in a telephone interview that Frontier Days was connected with the old rodeo that used to be held off of Franklin Street and Avenue 6.

“I have this vest that once belonged to a lady of significant history in our city, Delores Mayhall [now deceased],” Adkins said. “It has patches all over it representing our chamber, Frontier Days, boots and cowboy hats, an Indian on a horse, sailboats, the gazebo in the park and a baseball diamond.”

I asked Adkins to look for a date. “Oh, it’s written in pen on the back of the vest: May 28, 1994. I guess that may have been the last Frontier Day ’til now.

“[Mayhall] was dearly connected with the old Frontier Days and the old rodeo. We should continue to ask around about the old rodeo and if anyone has posters.”

“Revising this event is part of our history,” Adkins continued. “As our community grows and matures we should nurture the continued contributions for the future of our families.

“How many kids know what it is like to climb on straw bales and wander around without their parents getting nervous? You don’t see that very much these days.”

Lake Elsinore Mayor Darrel Hickman’s eyes twinkled when he recounted his visit to Frontier Days: “I had a turkey leg, a Polish sausage and, for the first time, I had a deep-fried Twinkie. I had a very enjoyable time.

“My wife Amy had to go down the big slide. She is still a big kid at heart. I enjoyed a cold beer with the folks from the chamber in their beer garden, and the music was just excellent.”