Do you feel Lucky?

This weekend let your spurs jangle as the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens presents “Wild West Days,” a festival honoring Victorian-era American Western culture. 

The arboretum grounds are the home of “Lucky” Baldwin’s Ranch, named after Elias Jackson Baldwin, the famous adventurer, philanderer, prospector, investor and racehorse owner who built it. He bought the land the Arboretum is on—and 63,000 acres more—in 1875, intending to build a desert resort by creating the Santa Anita Racetrack, the Oakwood Hotel and forming of the town of Arcadia (one of the few local towns that allowed alcohol at that time). 

Today, part of the original plot remains as a county-owned 127-acre botanical garden and historical preserve, pairing rare plant collections from around the world with rich historical artifacts and buildings from various periods of California history. It is also the home of about 200 or so peafowl, descendants of birds Lucky brought from India in 1880. 

 Wild West Days’ attractions include trick roping displays, singing cowboys, carriage rides, calliopes and barn dances. The historic Queen Anne Cottage, Coach Barn and Santa Anita Train Depot will be open for touring. There will be games and crafts for children, authentic western BBQ and a Root Beer Saloon. A full schedule of events is available on the website. 

The festival takes place Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Entry is free with the price of admission to the Arboretum, which is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia. 

Posted 4/28/11