Western Weekend: Celebrating West Marin's Rural Heritage June 7 & 8

Western Weekend: Celebrating West Marin's Rural Roots FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2025 CONTACT: wmwesternweekend@gmail.com Point Reyes Station, CA – West Marin’s beloved Western Weekend will officially usher in summer on June 7 and 8, celebrating the region's heritage with fresh produce, Marin Farm Bureau’s famous chicken barbecue, a barn dance, agricultural photo displays and other festivities. The event’s centerpiece, a parade through downtown Point Reyes Station, will start at 12 noon on Sunday, June 8. Crowds will line the main street to admire decorated horses, tractors, festive floats, bagpipers, dancers and more. The event, celebrated annually since 1948, is free. The theme of this year’s event is “Honoring Those Who Labor On The Land” in tribute to ranchers and farm workers who have made West Marin a national model of locally produced food and responsible land stewardship. This year's Western Weekend marks the end of an era. On January 8, the National Park Service announced that all but two of the ranches in the Point Reyes National Seashore have agreed to cease ranching in the park within 15 months. No longer will we enjoy dairy products from the Seashore ranches that supplied San Francisco for more than 150 years. “Farmers are the backbone of America,” said Western Weekend’s junior grand marshal David Rodriguez, 18, a student at Chico State who came of age on a ranch on the windswept peninsula of the National Seashore. “Western Weekend is when the community gets together and sees everybody's accomplishments – how far we've come, as a community, together,” he said. This year’s grand marshal is Bob Giacomini, who with his four daughters launched Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., internationally regarded as a premier producer of award-winning, hand-crafted cheeses, including Original Blue, Bay Blue, Fennel Blue, Toma, Gouda, Truffle Brie and Quinta. Giacomini grew up on his father’s dairy farm in downtown Point Reyes, and for 40 years, continues to operate his own 700-acre ranch overlooking Tomales Bay. “As a community, we need to start looking at how to support agriculture and the ranchers that are left,” said Angelo Sacheli, president of the West Marin Lions Club, the weekend's lead partner,“What can we do, to help?” Everything you need to know: What are Saturday’s events? Kick off the weekend by visiting farmers & artists in downtown Point Reyes “Wild West” Farmers Market from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Toby’s Feed Barn Agricultural Photography Exhibit, circa 1920 to the present, featuring historic work by Art Rogers and M.B. Boissevain, 11101 Highway One “Artists in the School” Exhibit at Toby’s Gallery Barn Dance at the Dance Palace, hosted by West Marin Commons: 6:30 pm Grand Marshal and Jr. Grand Marshal introductions, 7:00 pm Dance What are Sunday’s events? A feast starts at 11:30am at the Food Corral by Toby’s Feed Barn. Come for the Marin Farm Bureau’s famous BBQ chicken, Papermill Creek’s Oysters, West Marin Rotary’s Chili Booth, or a home-made taco dinner to benefit Tomales High School’s rising senior class. Stop by the Nonprofit Corral to learn more about West Marin and how we can continue to support agriculture. Agricultural Photography Exhibit, circa 1920 to the present, featuring historic work by Art Rogers and M.B. Boissevain, 11101 Highway One Reception: “Gallery Art One Artist in the school” from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Toby’s Gallery Enjoy Western music DJ’d by KWMR, and a live Parade broadcast. When and where is the parade? The parade starts at 12 noon on Sunday, but participants are urged to come early to avoid traffic detours and get a good viewing spot. Parade staging starts near 4th St. then proceeds south through downtown on Highway 1. Where should I park? Highway 1 through downtown Point Reyes Station will be closed. Park at West Marin School, or in one of the designated parking areas. ADA parking with a placard is available at Wells Fargo Bank. See www.westernweekend.org for an easy-to-reference map. Who makes Western Weekend happen? The West Marin Lions Club, in partnership with the Agricultural Institute of Marin, County of Marin, Dance Palace Community and Cultural Center, Gallery Route One, KWMR, Marin County 4-H, Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Point Reyes Light, Rotary Club of West Marin, Toby’s Feed Barn and West Marin Commons created and supports the Western Weekend Committee, a collaborative planning team. Eighteen businesses donated to support Western Weekend 2025; more provided in-kind services. This year’s Premier sponsors are: Straus Family Creamery, Brizuela Tile & Stone, Heidrun Meadery, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Brickmaiden Breads, Point Reyes Good Luck Fund and Marin Agricultural Land Trust. Where can I learn more? Visit www.westernweekend.org for a complete list of sponsors, schedule, parade entry forms, maps and more. # # # # # #

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