Saddle up for a weekend in the wild west with the historic Chowchilla Cattle Drive beginning Friday morning.

The iconic event, making its way down Robertson Boulevard at 10 a.m., gathers hundreds of onlookers as local ranchers and their herds celebrate Chowchilla’s agricultural roots and bring “the spirit of the Old West alive.”

This kicks off the annual Chowchilla Western Stampede, set to host a variety of events at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds, running through Sunday.

A Tradition Since 1958

The tradition began in 1958 when young cowboys, bringing a stock of 150 steers and 60 calves for the Western Stampede, guided the herd straight through the center of town.

Now, it is a valued part of Chowchilla’s heritage, setting the stage for a weekend of community festivities.

This includes several team roping events with cash prizes, bringing contestants from all over the West.

City officials encourage spectators to arrive early and find a good spot to catch the action.