This weekend at The Mill: California Vaquero Show celebrates the romance of Spanish California
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: February 09, 2000
Come and experience the romance of Spanish California at The Mill, this weekend reviving the noted California Vaquero Show, an eye-popping step back into history featuring Vaquero equipment and antique memorabilia as well as a book signing and art show.
The California Vaquero Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 12 and 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at The Mill, Ventura County’s most historic business. The Mill is located at 926 Railroad Ave., right on the corner of Mill Street.
Harold Doulton will sign his book, “I Remember”, and the works of artist Phil Tognazzini will be displayed in this multi-faceted event sure to please everyone with an eye for history, art, collectibles and fine leather work.
The California Vaquero Show had been an annual event at The Mill for 14 years when it was discontinued after the 1990 celebration.
The American cowboy evolved from the vaquero, whose range was Spanish California, and evokes thoughts of fine horses, lariats, rodeos, wide-brimmed hats and chaps.
The show was started by the late Louis Hengehold and the late Chief Arnold Rojas, who offered a showcase to collectors of vaquero equipment and antique memorabilia, as well as the musicians, artists and storytellers the event draws. Magnificent saddles of hand-tooled leather, bits, spurs, well, it’s hard to list all the things that can be enjoyed at the California Vaquero Show.
The show was revived because “it was something so fun to do,” said Helen Hengehold of The Mill family.
“The whole family was real enthusiastic about bringing it back,” said Polly Hengehold. “We’re real excited about having it. . .everyone that has experienced it is coming back this weekend and those who have never been to the vaquero show are really looking forward to it. It’s something you don’t see a lot of.”
The distinctive Vaquero and his horse depicted for the California Vaquero Show poster was drawn by the featured artist for the event, Phil Tognazzini of Santa Barbara County.
And the author of “I Remember”, Harold Doulton, “is from a real old Santa Barbara family, real old,” said Polly Hengehold. Doulton worked for 31 years with the Rancheros Visitadores, trekking with men, horses, wagons, carriages and stages over the Old San Marcos Pass to Santa Barbara. His childhood days were spent at the family’s famous hotel, the Miramar in Montecito, and his life experiences continued to be fascinating as told in the book and shown through the 284 photographs of presidents, buccaneers, dishwashers, playboys, seamen and cowboys.
“So many people asked over the years when the California Vaquero Show would be back and now it is,” said Helen Hengehold. “We’re looking forward to it as much as anybody.”
Admission to the California Vaquero Show is free. For more information, call The Mill at 933-3789.
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