Dating back to the late 1880s, Marin’s fairs, festivals and livestock shows have always been a part of the county’s heritage. The Point Reyes Western Weekend has a long history and is still going strong. Western Weekend was started in 1949 by a women’s group, Companions of the Forest Circle 1018. They held a festival, fashion show and cake walk in the hall in Point Reyes Station. The following year, members of the Lions Club joined in, adding a parade and a livestock show for 4-H and Future Farmers of America members. For the first three decades, Western Weekend’s proper name was the West Marin Junior Livestock Show. More recently, it is referred to as the Point Reyes Western Weekend. Regardless, the goals of the two-day event have remained the same – to celebrate the agricultural roots of West Marin and bring the community together. Different organizations, including the Rotary Club and the Lions Club, along with local businesses and volunteers, help support and organize the event. Doris “Scotty” Mendoza, who was a pillar of the Point Reyes ranching community for almost seven decades, co-founded the Queen Contest and ran it for many years, along with encouraging children to participate in the 4-H Club. Mendoza — known as “Grandma Scotty” to many children — died in 2008 at age 88 in the ranch house she had lived in for 67 years.
For decades, the weekend festivities have included a parade, the crowning of the queen, a grand marshal, lip-smacking chicken barbecue, a livestock showing and a live broadcast by KWMR. In a June 29, 1964 Marin IJ article, it was reported that 5,000 spectators jammed both sides of Main Street in Point Reyes Station, which was a big increase from the 800 in 1953. The day began with the livestock and farm project showings on Saturday morning, chicken barbecue and more. By 9 p.m. Saturday night, Delores Grossi, a senior at Tamales High School, was crowned queen — with the evening ending with a ball. On Sunday, the parade had a record high of 115 entries led by Grand Marshal James Mendoza. Colorfully costumed bands, clowns, high-stepping horses, antique cars and floats, along with precision drill teams and majorettes, made their way down the street, taking more than an hour to pass by the judge’s table. The festivities also included demonstrations of horsemanship by the 4-H Club. The crowds then headed over to Toby’s Feed Barn for live music, chicken barbecue, 4-H exhibits, homemade desserts, the Rotary Club’s chili cook-off and the barn dance. Awards were given out for different events and categories.
This event continues to stay current while maintaining its deep roots. For more than 60 years, young women competed to be the queen of Western Weekend, a title that included a coronation at a dance, opening the livestock show, appearing in the parade and securing a cash scholarship. With interest lagging and other circumstances, it was decided in 2016 to change the position — a young person (male or female) would be named “junior grand marshal.” The recent title still offers the same perks but is more current with a focus on community.
Last year marked its 75th anniversary with a “back in the saddle” theme. This year’s festivities were held earlier this month with two days of nonstop activities that take us back to a simpler and nostalgic time.
(Originally published as History Watch article in the Marin Independent Journal)