It won't be long before Palm Springs once again becomes Cowboy Central. Back in the Hay Days of the mid-20th century, regular Western activities were held to promote Palm Springs and raise money for charities, with rodeo, parades, trail rides, Desert Circus and cowboy balls several times a year. Luminaries such as Gary Cooper, Bob Hope and Frank Bogert rode horses and wore upscale Western duds to glamorous social events.

THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2011  Thursday is kickoff day at the Renaissance Hotel as the Western Design Expo presented by Cowboys & Indians opens with a celebrity autograph party from 1-6 pm. Get your photo taken with favorite Western star lookalikes John Wayne, Buffalo Bill Cody and Billy the Kid.

Meet Western authors and take the first look at 50 Western Designer exhibits in the fields of fashion, home furnishings, jewelry and art. Get measured for a hat or a pair of hand-tooled boots, order a one-of-a-kind Western desk or sofa, and purchase a turquoise & silver work of art.
See free panels and seminars in the Mojave theater on Western authors, celebrity family members, turqouise and a production of the Silver Screen Cowboy Project multi-media show.
That evening, downtown Palm Springs becomes "Western VillageFest" with live music, country radio remotes and dancing in the street beginning at 6 pm.

FRIDAY MARCH 25, 2011
Friday, the WestFest opens from 11 am-10 pm
Western Design Expo presented by Cowboys & Indians is open 11-6 in the Renaissance ballroom.
Taste of the West Food Court open 11 am-9 pm
Gene Autry FilmFest is in the Mojave Learning Center at Renaissance from 11 am-5 pm.
Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo* at 6 pm

SATURDAY MARCH 26, 2011
Saturday, WestFest is dubbed Gene Autry Day and is open 10 am to 10 pm.
Western Design Expo presented by Cowboys & Indians is open 10-6 pm in Renaissance ballroom.

Gene Autry FilmFest is in the Mojave Learning Center at Renaissance from 11-5 pm.
Taste of the West Food Court open 11 am-9 pm

Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo is at 4 pm

Saturday night, a concert by a well-known headliner may take place at 8 pm in the rodeo arena.

SUNDAY MARCH 27, 2011
Cowboy Church starts at 10 am and WestFest opens at 11 am.

Taste of the West Food Court open 11 am-9 pm

Western Design Expo presented by Cowboys & Indians is open 11 am-5 pm in the Renaissance ballroom.

Gene Autry FilmFest is in the Mojave Learning Center at Renaissance from 11-4 pm.

Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo* with the Fiesta del Charro rodeo performance at 2 pm
WestFest Gates close at 6 pm.

The party moves to the Cascade room at Spa Resort Casino with live music and awards.