whiskey flat claim jumper 2015

Enjoy the old-fashioned fun as Kernville returns to the 1860’s for

Map of the Flat on page 4 & 5Join us inKernvilleFebruary 13-16, 2015

INSIDE:

February 2015 Whiskey Flat, Californiia

Whiskey Flat Daze Wild West Rodeo on pages 14 & 15

FREE

Michael Batelaan/Whiskey Flat Claim JumperTrash Talkin’ - Honorary Whisky Flat Mayor canidates LtoR “The Keeper Brothers” aka Rex Hinkey and Joel Walling and“Man Trackin’ Jami” aka Jami Ward along with her sidekick “Whitewater Shawn” aka Shawn Ward.

WhiskeyFlat Days

President’s DayWeekend

February13through16

Whiskey Flat Days!

WildWestEncampment

rides into town

page 9

Oldwesttown

returnsto life

Whiskey FlatClaim Jumper

Let your mind go backin time, back 150 yearswhen the California was astate only 12 years old,when large portions of itwere still Spanish landgrants. The mighty KernRiver splashed unfetteredby concrete, dams or con-trols of any kind, down toa swampy San JoaquinValley. The swamplanddown below, a vast areaknown as Tulare Lake,was full of tule reeds andwas home to millions ofbirds.

In those days, therewas little travel in the SanJoaquin Valley itselfbecause of the almostimpassable land. Travelexisted mainly in thefoothills, where rivers andstreams still had to beforded, but riding byhorseback or mulebackwas much easier.

See Old West pg. 7

Exactly where was Whiskey Flat?Whiskey FlatClaim Jumper

A lot of visitors wonder,as they enjoy Whiskey FlatDays in the town of NewKernville, exactly where thetown of Old Kernville was.They know the original loca-tion is out in the lake bed, butwhere was Whiskey Flat?

A clue to where WhiskeyFlat was is the old part of theKern River Valley Cemetery,

which was a part of OldKernville originally and isnow part of the town ofWofford Heights.

Wofford Heights is adja-cent to the former site ofOld Kernville. WoffordHeights is named after anold-time rancher by the nameof Irven Wofford, who soldoff part of his ranch to valleyfolks who needed new placesto live when the lake went induring the early 1950s.

Old Kernville was locatedjust to the northeast ofWofford Heights. Look inthe lake bed just south of theOld Cemetery and you’ll seefoundations. Those were partof Old Kernville. There arestill people in New Kernvillewho can tell you what build-ings those foundationsbelonged to. Many of themserve as docents at the KernValley Museum in Kernville,just down from the post

office.In years when the lake is

higher, you can’t see the foun-dations at all. They’re coveredby the waters of IsabellaLake.

But in lower water years,the former location of OldKernville/Whiskey Flat is vis-ible again. The lake recedesand little sandy flat where OldKernville was becomes muchas it was, with the placid KernRiver as it did in the old times.

See Mayors pg. 13

Town mayoral race under wayWhiskey FlatClaim Jumper

Man Trackin' Jami and hersidekick Whitewater Shawn havebeen out hunting down buyersfor one dollar bribes, and theKeeper Brothers, Jelly Belly Joeland Rockin' Rex picking throughtrash to find some, the WhiskeyFlat Mayor's race is in full swing.Each year the KernvilleChamber of Commerce holdsWhiskey Flat Days and to raisethe operating funds needed for

the year.

Meet the mayorcandidates

Man Trackin' Jami, JamiWard grew up in the Kern RiverValley and she and Shawn met in2003 and married in 2007. Theyhave three beautiful childrenKaitlynn, Hunter and Lillie. Jamiis currently am a manager atRivernook campground andShawn is learning how to brewbeer at the Brewery. He is anelectrician by trade. Shawn

moved here in 1998 fromReedley California. Shawn likesto bike, paddle, hike, or anythingto do with the great outdoorsand to play bass in the bandDownfinger. Jami likes to spendtime with her kids and volunteer-ing in the community. She wasrecently a surrogate mom andsays it was a life changing experi-ence. She is currently enrolled incollege to get an Associate'sdegree in Business Management.

Man Trackin' says growingup on the banks of the mighty

Kern River, she got so good attrackin' and sneakin' up on things,that's how she caught, I meanmet, her husband, Whitewater

1010

1111

Every town mustinclude a little

drama...This town isno different.

The fun startswith the

Whiskey Flatscheduleof events

What the heck isthis riches to rag

publication?

Make sure thatyou know all the

Whiskey Flatgun requirements.

1212

22

Catch whatshoppin’ in

Whiskey Flat

33

February 2015 Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

For anyone wanting to carry a weaponduring the Whiskey Flat Days celebra-tion, a weapons and ammunition check isrequired. There will be a weapons checkstation at the corner of Piute and BigBlue Road Kernville and for enactors itwill be at the "Sheriff's" tent in WhiskeyFlat Camp (across from the rodeogrounds) Thursday evening though theweekend. Those carrying weapons in theWhiskey Flat Parade can have a weaponscheck at parade line up/check-in onSaturday morning starting at 9 a.m.

Each participant must sign a releaseagreeing to the following rules:

1. Safety is our prime concern; forthe re-enactor and the viewing public.

2. Read and acknowledge yourright and responsibilities under AB-144 and PC 26350.

3. In order to be eligible for weaponcarry, participants must be in periodcostume and participating in theparade or organized event as author-ized by the Kernville Chamber ofCommerce, such as costume contest,WFD Encampment, etc.

4. Handguns must be carried in aholster. No "belt" carrying allowed.

5. No live ammunition to be car-ried in the weapon or on your personat any time. If live ammunition isfound, that individual will not quali-fy for "open carry" for this event andthe Sheriff's Department will be noti-fied and the applicant will be soadvised.

6. Dummy ammunition only. Spentprimers are preferred.

7. For those participants engaging in'Gunfight' routines, blank roundsshould only be chambered just prior tothe routine, and removed immediatelyafter it concludes.

8. Participants will be issued a ribbonindicating that they have agreed to therestrictions listed above and thoserequired by law (AB-144 and PC 26350).This ribbon should be displayed promi-nently on the participant's costumeabove the waist.

The ribbon means that the weaponwith or without blank ammunition, con-firmed as "dummy" type ammuni-tion "for show only" has been checkedby authorized designee appointed bythe Chamber and the participant hasread/signed the required waiver.

9. Weapons carrying participantsmay be subject to random checks by theKern County Sheriffs Department toconfirm they are in compliance with theabove regulations and AB -144.

All parade and Whiskey Flat Days opencarry gun checks are provided as a courtesyservice to the Kernville Chamber andat all times, are subject to any directivesand/or restrictions of the Kern CountySheriff's Office. Kernville Chamber ofCommerce and gun check personnel willnot be held responsible for any gun displayor use beyond that whichis permitted by theweapons carry regulations or state law.

Weapons carrying participants may besubject to random checks by the KernCounty Sheriffs Department to confirm they are in compliance with the above regu-lations.

On January 12, 2012, a new law wasenacted in California related to the opencarry of unloaded handguns. The new law,PC 26350(a)(1), makes it a misdemeanor toopenly carry an unloaded firearm in public.

Local law enforcement is committed tokeeping the residents and visitors of KernCounty safe and secure. They have also com-mitted to enforcing both the spirit of the lawas well as the letter of the law. They recognizethe long time tradition of the Whiskey Flatcelebration. It is the intent of local lawenforcement to enhance the safety of boththe spectators and those participating in thecelebration. This will require a commitmentof the Kernville Chamber of Commerce incooperation with the Sheriff's Office to noti-fy the public attending the Whiskey Flatevent.

Penal code 26375 states, "Section 26350does not apply to, or affect, the open carryingof an unloaded handgun by an authorizedparticipant in…[an] event, when the partici-pant lawfully uses the handgun as part of thatproduction or event, or while the participantor authorized employee or agent is at thatproduction or event, or rehearsal or practicefor that production or event."

The Kern County Sheriff's Office willrequire the following:1. On Saturday, February 14, 2015 during the

parade and events on Piute Street, thepublic will be exempt from PC 26350providing they and their weapon havebeen checked at an official inspection siteand are visibly wearing the proper identi-fying marker indicating their weapon hasbeen inspected.Or2. They are a member of an officially rec-ognized reenactment group performingduring the event; and their weapon hasbeen checked at an official inspection siteand are visibly wearing the proper identi-fying marker indicating their weapon hasbeen inspected.Or3. They are within the Whiskey Flatencampment; their weapon has beenchecked at an official inspection site andare visibly wearing the proper identifyingmarker indicating their weapon has beeninspected.

Law enforcement has the authority toinspect weapons upon demand, makearrests; issue citations and seize weaponsas evidence if the law is violated. It is theSheriff's Office's intent to insure the visi-tors and participants of the Whiskey Flatcelebration adhere to these requirementsin order to provide a safe environment forall in attendance.

Message from theKern County Sheriff's Office

Whiskey Flat Celebration 2014Weapons Carry Regulations

There is nothing more exhilarating than to be shot atwithout result. --Winston Churchhill (1874-1965)“ ”

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Native American Objects • Gold Mining • Lumbering • Farming • Ranching • Western Movies • Gift Shop and Art Gallery.

Museum HoursThursday ~ Sunday, 10am to 4pm ADMISSION IS FREE

49 Big Blue Road, Kernville (760) 376-6683(Next to the Post Office)

WELCOME TO WHISKEY FLAT DAYSCome visit us at the

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760-417-2766

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Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper February 2015 page 3

This schedule of events is subject to the informationavailable to the Claim Jumper and the Kern River Courier atpress time. All event times and locations are subject tochange at any time without notice. Events may be canceled,postponed and/or rescheduled at any time due to weather,or any other circumstances beyond the control of theKernville Chamber of Commerce, its independent enter-tainers, vendors, volunteers and groups involved.

Q:" Why is a fire hydrant calleda fire plug?

A: Originally firefighters would have to get the waterfrom a water line. They would put a hole in the line andplug it with a piece of wood.

FridayFebruary 137 a.m.Breakfast All 'Round the ValleyFind your favorite eatery. In Kernville, there is Cheryl'sDiner, Cracked Egg Café, El Rio, Jacalito's, Big Blue Bear,and breakfast items are available at Sierra Gateway andPrimo's.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Kern Valley MuseumOpen on Big Blue Road next to the Post Office. HistoricalSociety, mining info, Indian exhibits, artifacts and photosfrom yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat, 1857.

11 a.m. to SundownWhiskey Flat EncampmentCowboy and Mountain Man Encampments on Scodie Aveacross from the Rodeo Grounds. you'll see history and gun-fights. All day there will be a Wells Fargo station and eatery,Chuck wagon cook'n and coffee, a horse trader and livery.There'll be horse shoe'n and horse doctor'n, the WhiskeyFlats Saloon, a Justice of the Peace, a Saddle maker andleather craft, a Bath house, Beautifier and Hygienist, story-tellers of the Old West, mining and sawmill demonstrationsand a Civil War Confederate camp! Open til sundown.

1 p.m.Golden Gulch opensCircle Park : Crafts, handmade items, jewelry, info booths, &art vendors.Food vendors are non-profit organizations: Kern ValleyFFA, Sweet Adelines, White Blanket Allotment, and theRotary Club of KRV. Whiskey Flat Headquarters & Info onthe corner of Kernville Road & Tobias Street sellingWhiskey Flat shirts & memorabilia.

Q:" Why are Dalmatians FireDepartment mascots?

A: Dalmatians became mascots because theyoriginally were helpful in directing the fire horses and,forming a strong bond with them. They were also a verystrong and energetic breed.

1 p.m.Riverside Park & Frontage Rd.opensRiverside Park: Food court, family entertainment and misc.vendors.Frontage Rd.: Vendors, vendors, vendors!

Contest Applications available At Kernville Chamber info booth:Adult Costume Contest Child Costume ContestPet Parade Contest Whiskerino ContestEpitaph Contest: Tombstones on display at theEncampment. Check ‘em out!

2 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowCowboys & Indians Exhibition. Meet Annie Oakley andChief Sitting Bull! Buffalo Bill himself will salute you at each

performance. Located at Riverside Park.

5 p.m.Schoeppner Carnival opensOn Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center, enjoy great adult and children's rides& games. Open until 10 p.m.

Dinner is servedAll around town at all your favorite restaurants.

6 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic & Street Dance with Obsidian. Put on yur dancin'boots and hit the street! Let's rock! The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

7 p.m.Whiskey Flat Melodrama"Double Take At Beatrice's Boardin' House" ("ThingsAin't Always What They Seem").At the Kernville Elementary School auditorium.Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under,and as always, lap sitters and stroller riders are free.

Q:" Why was itcommon placefor earlyFirefighters to growmustaches?

A: In the United Statesthe tradition of firefighterswearing mustaches began inthe 1960's as a reaction to firedepartment regulationsforbidding beards because theyinterfered with SCBA masks,long before SCBA's, some wore beards and mustaches tohelp filter out smoke on fires.

SaturdayFebruary 147 to 10 a.m."Breakfast"$7 a plate, tickets at the door. Kern River Masonic Lodge,562 James Road, Kernville. Turn uphill past SierraGateway Market. Always a favorite breakfast: get thereearly!

9 a.m.Golden Gulch opensCircle Park, Frontage Road, Riverside Park. Circle Park :Crafts, handmade items, jewelry, info booths, & art ven-dors. Food vendors are non-profit organizations: KernValley FFA, Sweet Adelines, White Blanket Allotment, andthe Rotary Club of KRV.

9 a.m.Riverside Park & Frontage Rd.opensRiverside Park: Food Court, Family Entertainment andmisc. vendors. Frontage Rd.: Vendors, vendors, vendors!

9 a.m.2015 WFD Parade Line UpOn Sierra Way.

9 a.m.Schoeppner Carnival opensOn Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult and children's rides andgames. Chills and thrills. Open until 10 p.m.

9 a.m.Trout Hatchery OpensMuseum and Visitor Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sierra Way,one mile north of Kernville. Free admission.

Q:" Where was the first firehydrant in the United States locat-ed?

A: Liberty Street in New York City. Installed in 1808.

9 a.m.Kern Valley Museum OpensOn Big Blue Road next to the Post Office. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Historical Society, mining info, Indian exhibits, artifacts andphotos from yesteryear when Kernville was Whiskey Flat,1857.

10 a.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by The Rock Bottom Boys! The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

Q:" Which is cor-rect - Smokey theBear, or SmokeyBear?

A: Smokey Bear

11 a.m.Whiskey Flat DaysParadeWhiskey Flat Days Parade Sponsored by So. CaliforniaEdison. 2015 Grand Marshall: Mr. Steve Gradowitz ofKUZZ Radio. Get yer spot early! Parade route: From SierraWay and Kernville Road, south. Across the bridge to KernRiver Drive by Riverside Park. Around Riverside One Stopand up to Kernville Road to Tobias. Then Piute Drive toBig Blue Road and end at Kernville United MethodistChurch, Big Blue Road and Sirretta Street.

High NoonWhiskey Flat EncampmentImmediately following the Parade. Cowboy and MountainMan Encampments, on Scodie Avenue across from theRodeo Grounds. Life in the Old West! Save the leather onyer boots and catch the Western Express Railway Train intown and ride to the encampments. Watch hold-ups andgunfights, horse shoein' and horse doctorin', turn of thecentury saw mill demonstrations. There's cowboy cookin',a Whiskey Flats Saloon, and Old West Mercantile Shoppe,shot gun weddings, saddle makin' and leather craft, andmore! Story tellers, Dave Ryskamp, Dave "Horse"Robinson, and Nathan Eddy will tell stories about miners,cowboys and outlaws. Open til sundown.

1 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by The Rock Bottom Boys! The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

1 p.m.Whiskey Flat Days RodeoSponsored by BudLight, the official Beer of the Wild WestDaze Rodeo. McNally Rodeo Arena. Brought to you byCotton Rosser's Flying U Rodeo. Open Team Roping, BullRiding, Hide Race, Open Barrel Race, Junior Barrel Race,Calf Scramble, Sheep Riding, and more.

Q:" Fire Prevention Day isOctober 9th. It marks the anniver-sary of a fire that killed 250 people,destroyed 17,000 buildings and cost$168 million dollars. What famousfire was this?

A: The great Chicago Fire of 1871

2 p.m.Buffalo Bill’s Wild West ShowCowboys & Indians Exhibition. Meet Annie Oakley andChief Sitting Bull! Buffalo Bill himself will salute you ateach performance. Located at Riverside Park.

2 p.m."First Heat" of the Frog Jumpin'Held at the corner of Big Blue and Kernville Rd. Look forthe Green Stage come and bet on your favorite jumpin’frog! Bet on the Jumpin'est Frogs in the West! FinalsSunday at 11:30 a.m. Free admission.

2:30 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by The Rock Bottom Boys! The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

See Schedule pg. 6

Calendar of EventsWhiskey Flat Days



4 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by The Rock Bottom Boys! The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

6 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic & street dance by The Stoneflys an original alterna-tive/ska/reggae/jazz group of musicians formed out ofVentura and Kernville, California. The AltaOne Main Stageis located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

6 p.mWhiskey Flat EncampmentOld Time DanceCowboy and Mountain Man Encampments old time danceon Scodie Ave across from the Rodeo Grounds. Put yourold west duds on, come out and kick up your heals.7 p.m.Whiskey Flat Melodrama"Double Take At Beatrice's Boardin' House" (or "ThingsAin't Always What They Seem) At the KernvilleElementary School auditorium. Admission is $7.00 foradults, $5.00 for children 12 and under, and as always, lapsitters and stroller riders are free.

Q:What is the difference betweenand "Engine" and a "Pumper"?

A: Not much. These are usually just different termsfor the same thing in different parts of the country.

SundayFebruary 157 a.m.Breakfast All 'Round the ValleyFind your favorite eatery. In Kernville, there is Cheryl'sDiner, Cracked Egg Café, El Rio, Jacalito's, Big Blue Bear,and breakfast items are available at Sierra Gateway andPrimo's.

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Whiskey Flat EncampmentsCowboy and Mountain Man Encampments on Scodie Ave.across from the Rodeo Grounds. You'll see history andgunfights. All day there will be a Wells Fargo station andeatery, chuck wagon cook'n and coffee, a horse trader andlivery. There'll be horse shoe'n and horse doctor'n, theWhiskey Flats Saloon, a Justice of the Peace, a saddlemaker and leather craft, a bath house, Beautifier andHygienist, storytellers of the Old West, mining and sawmilldemonstrations and a Civil War Confederate camp!

9 a.m.Golden GulchopensCircle Park: Crafts, handmade items, jewelry, info booths, &art vendors. Food vendors are non-profit organizations:Kern Valley FFA, Sweet Adelines, White BlanketAllotment, and the Rotary Club of KRV.

9 a.m.Riverside Park & Frontage Rd.opensRiverside Park: Food Court, Family Entertainment andmisc. vendors. Frontage Rd.: Vendors, vendors, vendors!

10 a.m.Schoeppner Carnival opens

On Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center. Great adult and children's rides andgames. Chills and thrills.

Q:What is thedifference between"Under Control" and"Out"?

A: "Under control" gener-ally indicates that the fire is nolonger spreading. There may still be some overhaul need-ed. If the fire is reported "out" this means that there isno longer any fire to be dealt with.

10 a.m.Whiskey Flat EncampmentchurchOld West church service at 10 a.m.

10 a.m.Trout Hatchery OpensMuseum and Visitor Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sierra Way,one mile north of Kernville. Free admission.

Q:What is Overhaul?

A: "The search for, and extinguishing of hiddenfires."

10 a.m.Kern Valley Museum OpensOn Big Blue Road next to the Post Office. 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Historical Society, mining info, Indian exhibits, arti-facts and photos from yesteryear when Kernville wasWhiskey Flat, 1857.

11 a.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by The Rock Bottom Boys! The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

11:30 a.m."Final Heat" Frog Jumpin'ContestHeld at the corner of Big Blue and Kernville Rd. Look forthe Green Stage come and bet on your favorite jumpin’frog! Free admission.

High NoonContest Sign Ups!1860's costume contest sign-ups! Adult & children formsat WFD's Info Booth. Judging starts at 12:30 p.m.

Pet Parade Sign Ups!Forms at WFD Info Booth. Judging at 2:30 p.m.

12:05 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by The Rock Bottom Boys!.The AltaOne MainStage is located at the northeast end of Circle Park.

Q:Why is it called"turnout gear"?

A: It should probably just becalled "turnout". To use the term"turnout gear" is possibly redundant.That is like saying "equipmenttools." Turnout can simply meangear, or equipment.

12:30 p.m.Old Fashioned 1860'sCostume ContestHeld at the corner of Big Blue and Kernville Rd. Look forthe Green Stage. Adult categories include Frontier Ladyand Man, American Indian Lady and Man, Fancy Ladyand Man, Authentic Indian Dress, Modern PowWow, BestOverall Family. Children categories include Frontier Girland Boy, American Indian Girl and Boy, and Fancy Girland Boy. Prizes awarded. Entry is free.

1 p.m.Sign Ups for Whiskerino ContestWhiskers, beards, & all mustaches apply. Ribbons awarded.Free to enter. Forms at Whiskey Flat Days Info Booth.

1 p.m.Whiskey Flat Days RodeoSponsored by BudLight, the official Beer of the Wild WestDaze Rodeo, McNally Rodeo Arena. Brought to you byCotton Rosser's Flying U Rodeo. Open Team Roping, BullRiding, Hide Race, Open Barrel Race, Junior Barrel Race,Calf Scramble, Sheep Riding, and more.



2 p.m.OldFashioned Whiskerino ContestHeld at the corner of Big Blue and Kernville Rd. Look forthe Green Stage.

2:30 p.m.Pet ParadeFive Categories: WFD's Theme, Matched Pair, Smallest,Largest, Funniest! Grand prize and ribbons awarded - Free.

Q:" Why are fire hydrants differentcolors?

A: Fire hydrants are painted different colors to allowfire fighters to quickly identify flow rates of any firehydrant.

3 p.m.2013 Honorary Whiskey FlatMayor Announced!Who will be the 2014 Whiskey Flat Mayor? Piute Drive byCircle Park. Drawings: Who will win candidate’s raffles andthe $500 shopping spree?


3:55 p.m.AltaOne Main StageMusic by OMG! The AltaOne Main Stage is located at thenortheast end of Circle Park.

MondayFebruary 169 a.m. to 3 p.m.Golden Gulch opensCircle Park : Crafts, handmade items, jewelry, info booths,& art vendors. Food vendors are non-profit organizations:Kern Valley FFA, Sweet Adelines, White BlanketAllotment, and the Rotary Club of KRV.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Riverside Park & Frontage Rd.opensRiverside Park: Food Court, Family Entertainment andmisc. vendors.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Schoeppner Carnival opensOn Kernville Road, across from Pizza Barn, by the ForestService Work Center.

Q:Why do firefighters wearred suspenders?

A: To hold their pants up, silly

Schedulecontinued from pg. 3

Calendar of EventsWhiskey Flat Days

Old West continued from pg. 1

Gold had been discovered at about the sametime California had become one of the UnitedStates. Gold seekers came from every corner ofthe world, many by sailing ship into the port ofSan Francisco. They streamed overland into theinterior portions of California.

Gold was rumored to have been discoveredat a place where two forks of a big river met, aplace called the Kern River Valley.

They streamed over the GreenhornMountains that formed the western boundary ofthe valley, their wagons slowed on the downhillside by big logs cut for that purpose.

They came in mainly through Keyesville anddown over the route that is now State Highway155.

In the year 1860, a man by the name ofAdam Hamilton was one of those who madethe trip over the Greenhorn Mountains. He wasan American entrepreneur who decided to makehimself a bit of money by selling what many ofthe miners craved after a hard day’s work – a

drink of spirits.So he led his burro laden with two barrels of

whiskey down the eastern side of theGreenhorns. He had heard about a gold strike atthe bottom of the gulch he was traveling down.It was some mighty well-paying ore, and therewere a lot of miners working in a mine calledthe Big Blue.

So Hamilton found the center of the miningcamp, found a plank of wood, set it across histwo barrels and started selling his whiskey.

Unfortunately, the spot he picked was in themiddle of folks who did not care for the evils ofspirits. They asked him to move his makeshiftbar away from that spot, and he did.

The spot he picked was on a little sandy flatnext to the river, now more placid than it washigher up in the mountains.

The miners started moving their own campsdown closer to his establishment. As the oneswho enjoyed a tipple now and again gravitatedthere, a town started to grow. That town wascalled by several names, but the one that stuckwas Whiskey Flat.

Four years later, things had changed a lot.A new county, Kern County, had formed.

There were houses and hotels in the town, someeating houses and a few stores.

There were real streets, a dry goods store, afeed stable, some saloons, a blacksmith shopand a brewery.

The town was now too civilized to be calledWhiskey Flat any more. So it was renamed. Thename that they chose was Kernville.

Kernville in its original location existed foralmost 100 years. It survived the years when thegold ran out. The citizenry switched to ranchingand similar pursuits. Kernville saw the comingof hydropower plants put in to serve the elec-tricity-hungry city of Los Angeles.

The area was later discovered by Hollywoodas an ideal place to make Western movies, andfrom time to time, stars like Tom Mix, RoyRogers and Hopalong Cassidy could be seenhere. John Wayne came here to shoot a scenefor the classic “Stagecoach.”

WWII came and went, and then the KernRiver Valley saw something new coming in thatchanged the face of it forever.

Kernville was told its days were numbered.Residents who had grown up here, some whosefamilies had been here for generations, weretold they had to move away. A governmentflood control reservoir was coming into theKern River Valley. The citizens of Kernville

More history is to be found

at the Kern Valley Museum

We hope you enjoyed readingabout Old Kernville. There aremany more historical photos thanwe could possibly print, and lots ofstories, artifacts and maps of allkinds of at the Kern ValleyMuseum in Kernville. It’s not hardto find -- it’s across the street fromAlta One Credit Union on Big BlueRoad.

If you like exploring the historyof this area the museum is a goodplace to start.

were told they had to move to higher ground orhave their houses by covered by the rising lake.

Kernville refused to lose almost 100 years ofhistory. Many of the citizens of Kernville decid-ed to move en masse to higher ground a few milesto the north, onto the former Burlando Ranch,where they could establish a new Kernville.

By the early 1950s a new Kernville stood.Some of the original buildings from OldKernville were moved there; others were newlybuilt. The people of New Kernville picked uptheir lives and started a new history.

But the citizens couldn’t forget the originaltown’s old history, a colorful Gold Rush past thatwas matched by very few communities.

So the townspeople decided to hold a yearlycelebration in the winters when times were slow-er and people could enjoy the fullWesternmountain experience and remember theGold Rush times.

Each year the townspeople of New Kernvilleput on their Western duds and prepare to greetthe many thousands of visitors who come to joinin the celebration that celebrates the 1860-64days of Whiskey Flat.

People come from all over to see the WhiskeyFlat Days Grand Parade and the shoot-’em-upshows, take part in the many contests such as theold-time costume contest or the frog jumpin’contest, partake of the carnival rides, enjoy theshenanigans of the Honorary Whiskey FlatMayor contest (during which the candidates tryto out-joke each other), eat some great food, orjust walk around and enjoy the clean mountainair in one of the nicest little towns you’ll ever see.

People flock to the Kern Valley Museum tosee photos of the original Kernville, maps of thearea before the lake was here, and displays featur-ing the history of the Indians called this areahome long before settlers came.

Want to see some of the other original build-ings from Whiskey Flat? Go to Silver City GhostTown in Bodfish, where they moved a lot oflocal old-time historical buildings in order to savethem.

Enjoy the music, the parade, the old-fash-ioned contests, the mountain views, even theweather as we celebrate the era of 1860-64 allover again, when Old Kernville was WhiskeyFlat.


Old KernvilleHollywooddiscoveredold Kernville duringthe Western moviecraze of the late1920’s and it wasthe site for manymovies.You can learn moreat the Kern ValleyMuseum inKernville.

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~ Event directors ~Producer: Mike Woodward, Lone Star

ProductionsWhiskey Flat Camp Director and

Manager: Francis MooreMountain Man Camp Director: Parry

BooneIndian Camp Director: Dave “Horse”

and Kate Robinson Mountain Man Camp Manager:

DeeDee MooreMiner & Sawmill Camp Manager: Perry

SteinhoffSafety Officers: Francis Moore & Dean

MarshallStory Telling Coordinator: Robert

LambertWeapons Check Coordinators: Dave

Ryskamp, Francis Moore, Dean Marshall

~ Groups represented ~Lone Star Productions, NativeAmerican Indians, Old West MountedLawmen’s Assoc, BakersfieldBuckskinners, Blacksmithing, GoldMining, Sawmill & Small EngineHistorians, 2nd Kentucky Calvary,LawDawgs.

Thanks to the Folks that help makeWhiskey Flat Encampment possibleKernville Chamber of Commerce for

on-going assistance.Mike Ludiker for our Web PageUSFS for camp woodKern County Sheriffs Department

for outstanding cooperation and support.

Kern County Sheriffs SAL KidsChuck Barbee for Documenting the

history of the Valley in "Wild West Country" on DVD.

Perry Steinhoff for his Encampment layout expertise.

EncampmentCast & Credits

Lone Star Productions

Whiskey Flat Encampment is back. It'shard to believe this year is the 12thanniversary of Lone Star ProductionsWhiskey FlatE n c a m p m e n t .Every year theEncampment hasgrown and lastyear it was esti-mated that onSaturday therewere upwards of5,000 visitorstreated toabsolutely periodcorrect experi-ence by over 100re-enactors. ThisCamp promises avery unique his-torically accurateexperience for thewhole familyagain this year,says MikeW o o d w a r d ,Producer ofWhiskey Flatencampment. Weeven have a sur-prise or two inmind for the newand repeat visi-tors. This Campis dynamic andoffers new experi-ences every year.

This all takes place February 13 thru the15 during Whiskey Flat Days. Camp eventsbegin at 11 a.m. Friday Feb. 13 and ends at3 p.m. Sunday Feb. 15.

The Encampment is across from theRodeo Grounds down in the "Flats" by the

River. There will be five camps for yourenjoyment: The Whiskey Flat Camp,Mountain Man Camp, the NativeAmerican Indian Camp, Mining Campwith real Gold Mine, and Civil War Camp

. These attrac-tions show youthe real WhiskeyFlat town as itwas 150 years agoand have been afeature ofWhiskey FlatDays celebrationfor over a decadenow.

The Encamp-ment is designedto give the wholefamily a glimpseat what life mayhave been likeback in the1800's. Campactivities will beinteractive andthere will bemany opportuni-ties to speak withthe residents ofWhiskey Flat,Mountain Men,and NativeAmerican Indiansfrom the 1800's.Come smell thecowboy coffeeand experiencelife as the pio-

neers did. Old fashioned train servicebegins from the Museum to the WhiskeyFlat Encampment.

The Whiskey Flat Encampment willfeature hold-ups and gunfights, immigrantwagon with period music, cowboy cookin',

Encampment’s 12th year

EncampmentSchedule

Friday: 11: a.m. to sundownSaturday: Immediately following

the Parade to sundownSunday: 8: a.m. a.m. to 3 p.m.It's an educational encampment

with authentic demonstrations oflife in the Old West! On Friday 11a.m., Saturday Noon to sundown,with a old time dance at 6 p.m.

Sunday at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Including a old west church serv-ice Sunday at 10 a.m. , you'll seehistory and gunfights. Allday there will be a Wells Fargostation and eatery, chuck wagoncook'n and coffee, a horse traderand livery. There'll be horseshoe'n and horse doctor'n, theWhiskey Flats Saloon, a Justice ofthe Peace, a Saddle maker andleather craft, a bath house, beauti-fier and hygienist, storytellers ofthe Old West, mining and sawmilldemonstrations and a Civil WarConfederate camp!

horse tradin', livery and wagon sales, black-smithing and handmade trinkets, horseshoein' and horse doctorin', Whiskey FlatsSaloon with dancing girls, Justice of thePeace and old west church service onSunday at 10 a.m., saddle maker and leathercraft, old west chuck wagon, old saw milland mining demonstrations and storytellers of Old Whiskey Flats. Stories will beacted out by real actors and actresses ofhow miners, cowboys and outlaws gotalong (or didn't get along) in the old days.

A hold-up or two of the scheduledcoach service to the Whiskey Flat Campwill thrill the coach riders (or scare 'em todeath).

Don’t miss the Saturday night dancefeature the Bill Hillies.

The Native American Encampment ledby Horse and Kate Robinson will includeauthentic crafts, Native American handgames, Native American food, demonstra-tion on basket making, beading, regaliamaking, and other items, drumming,singing, dancing, speaking in local nativelanguage, Native American cultural dis-plays using artifacts from their ancestors,and actual building of the huts from natu-ral native resources. There will be a displayand information of the local native plantsused by local Native Americans and activi-ties throughout the day and constructedhouses used in the 1800's by the NativeAmericans in this area, an open fire pitused for cooking and a storyteller ofNative Americans from the Valley.

The Mountain Man Camp will includeFur trading, Tee Pee's, trapping and hunt-ing demonstrations, period cookingdemonstrations, mountain man shelters,winter camp and clothing.

For further information and a schedule of events goto whiskeyflatcamp.org/ or on Facebook 'Whiskey FlatEncampment"


JAMIE P. GELBER

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Located across the bridge in Whiskey FlatLITTLE STORE • LOTTA STUFF

☞You’reAlmostThere

The publication you be holding is called the Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper.It’s published once year, especially for the Whiskey Flat Days festival. Andthis is our 12th year in publication!

In 2004, then Kern Valley residents Dolly Ogawa and Allyn Amsk start-ed this little gem of a paper, followed shortly thereafter with the introduc-tion of the Kern River Courier.

Back then today’s publisher, Michael Batelaan, was the ProductionManager for this upstart paper. Other papers had come and gone and theysaid this one would never last, but here it is, eleven years later!

In 2009, Michael Batelaan and Michael Devich purchased the KernRiver Courier and all its publications from Ogawa and Amsk, who haddecided to leave the Kern Valley for other pursuits. Batelaan and Devichwere both experienced newspaper men who relished the idea of promot-ing the Kern River Valley and all of its virtues.

Then in 2011 Devich decided to retire, leaving Batelaan alone to keepthe labor of love alive, promoting area tourism and highlighting the posi-tive view of life as we live it in the Kern River Valley.

For a few days every February, Kernville residents return to the 1860-1864 era of the Gold Rush, when the town went by its original name,Whiskey Flat. The Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper is put out by the same folkswho publish the Kern River Courier, the Valley’s only free distribution week-ly newspaper based out of Wofford Heights and available for pickupFridays all over the Valley and found oline at Kernrivercourier.com.

Or if you want the convenience of subscribing by mail, you can receivethe Kern River Courier every week for only $65 a year.

Here’s a list of some of the Courier folks and friends who contributedto this year’s Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper. (If your name isn’t here, forgiveus!): Michael Batelaan, Sara Wakeman, Val Minoux, the help of the folks atthe Kernville Chamber of Commerce, and too many others to list.

The Kern River Courier and Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper would love to hearfrom its readers. If you’d like to make a comment on the Claim Jumper orget a hold of us at the Courier, here’s our contact information:

Mail: P.O. Box 1145, Wofford Heights, CA 93285. (760) 376-2860.Fax: (760) 376-2862. E-mail: [email protected].

What in the heckis this riches torag publication?

Providing Seniors withCompanionship, Securityand Peace of Mind. We Encourage ourResidents to be

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Active in Family,Community and EventParticipation. A Touch ofthe Resort Atmospherein the Kern River Valley.

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The Burlington & Kern VillageASSISTED LIVING

Whiskey Flat WeekendFriday February 13th

thru Monday 16th

9:00am to 6:00pmCorner Sirretta & Kernville Rd.in front of Mountain River Adventures

The Elks Lodge& Ladies of the Elks will beservin’ up mouth waterin’

Tri-Tip BBQSandwiches

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All proceeds after bills,go to support the Elks charities, which includescholarships and other youth activities & Veteran’s needs in VA Hospitals.

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Whiskey Flat February 2015 page 11

Claim

Jumper

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Whiskey Flat

Frogjumpinglineup

In 1863, a young journalist named SamuelLanghorne Clemens, traveling from SanFrancisco, CA to Virginia City, NV spent thenight in Angels Camp, Calaveras County,California. Here, he heard the story of DanielWebster, a famous frog who jumped higherand further than any other frog around.

His owner, local gambler Jim Smiley nevergot tired of placing bets on his celebratedjumping frog. One day, a stranger took the bet.But when Jim wasn't looking, the strangerpoured quail shot into Daniel Webster's mouthmaking it impossible for him to jump at all.The stranger won the $40 bet and escapedbefore Jim realized the con.

The story was first published in 1865 inNew York's Saturday Press and the young jour-nalist used the pen name Mark Twain. It notonly laid the foundation for his fame, it also putthe tiny mining town Angels Camp on theworld's map.

Here at Whiskey Flat, we celebrate this his-tory with a frog jumping contest of our own.Everyone has a fun time placing wagers on thefrogs and cheering the little guys on. It is fun totry to beat the odds. The winning frog nets you"frog bucks" script worth merchandise at localparticipating Kern Valley merchants.

See Whiskey Flat schedule for the times andplace of the races on Saturday and Sunday.

Why the leap to frog jumping?

Live Music8-10pm

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at French Gulch Recreation Area 2600 Hwy. 155

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Event theme selectedcould.

Some people may see fire and destruction inthis picture, but when welook at this picture, we seecommunity. We see a com-munity that comes togetherin times of hardship anddevastation. This depictionwas not meant to be insensi-tive to someone’s loss. It ismeant to create an alertnessto the strength and supportthat grows in this family(despite the drought). Weare very proud to call theKern River Valley home.

This beautiful theme artwork was created byKerville resident Jeanette Rogers-Erickson. TheKernville Chamber of Commerce thanks her forcapturing the importance of this community.

Kernville Chamber of CommerceWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

This is the thoughtprocess behind this year’swinning Whiskey FlatDays theme.

The theme was sub-mitted by a firefighter. Justa few months ago afterbeing plagued with aseries of wild fires that leftunimaginable destructionin the kern river Valley.Families lost their homesand many of their most precious items andmemories. The intention of this theme was tosalute our brave men and women who foughtbravely to save as many homes as they possibly

Sierra Performing ArtsWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Beatrice's Boarding House is in the fair-to-middlin' town of Goodale. Beatrice, theyoung, beautiful (but somewhat longwinded)owner is in distress. If business doesn't pickup soon, the honorable establishment willhave to close its doors forever. If our poorheroine loses her abode, she and her closestfriends will find themselves on the town'sstreets. Luther Swett, the cad, not onlywants the boarding house, but has his eyeson the beautiful Beatrice. Can the ugliesthero in the history of melodrama save theday? And will the changing of the boardinghouse to a hilarious "Broadway and Brunch"

solve all problems? Throw in a mild-man-nered mortician and a cranky boarder whoneeds a hearing aid and you have a light snow!(Or did we say a nice show?!) The cast fea-tures local Kern Valley talent.

But wait--that's not all! Included in thisproduction is a Wild West Musical ComedyReview, featuring musical numbers, comedyacts, and even a ventriloquist. There's some-thing for every taste, including none at all.

There will be two performances, Fridayand Saturday nights, February 13th and 14th,at 7 p.m., in the Kernville Elementary Schoolauditorium. Admission is $7.00 for adults,$5.00 for children 12 and under, and asalways, lap sitters and stroller riders are free.

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Shawn. He didn't even know he'd beentrapped 'til they was married and she took thecuffs off of him! After a spell, word traveledaround Whiskey Flat about her expertise inman trackin'. Well, ol' Tumbleweed Tony andthe Rescue Brigade hired her to be their num-ber one tracker. They're always searchin' forfolks in need of rescuin'. So she joined up.

Well, she and Whitewater Shawn and thegang was ridin' up on the Whiskey Flat trailand seen the twisted, winding tracks of twofellers earlier and lo and behold, if she didn'tride up on these two dirty, rotten scoundrelsright smack dab in the middle of the KernRiver.

Folks, Jami went in after them herself, res-cued 'em and got them dried off and on theirway, and they showed up to run against her inthe mayor's race!

Now all of Man Trackin' Jami's proceedswill go to the Kern Valley Search and Rescue,and remember, if it hadn't been for her andher trackin' abilities and the Rescue Brigade,those two "trash talkers" wouldn't be here tokeep nothin'.

The Keeper Brothers, Rex Hinkey wasborn in old Kernville, before the dam in1949, and now lives in Kernville. He has 5children, 8 grand children and one greatgranddaughter. He was general manager atChehalis Farm Store for 35 years and hasbeen retired for almost 3 years. His mostfavorite thing to do is fish and backpack intothe Forks of the Kern.

Joel Walling was born in old Kernville,before the Dam in 1948. He now lives inKernville after retiring a few years ago froma business in Redding, CA. He has quite afew favorite things to do, but he enjoys play-ing the ukulele, listening to music, fishing andis a volunteer at Nuui Cunni. Joel has 5 kidsand 11 grand kids.

Both of their grandfathers were the bar-bers in old Kernville. Their fathers wereEdison employees and helped put in all thelines for new towns of Kernville, Wofford

Mayors continued from pg. 1

Heights and Lake Isabella. Both of theirmothers worked in the same diner in front ofthe pool hall that was next to Bert James'sStore. Their sisters were in the same grade atthe old grammar school. Both of their fami-lies left when Kernville was moved and thedam was completed and they have had nocontact with each other until a year ago whenthey met at Whiskey Flat Days when intro-duced to each other by Linda Clark, who isJoel's cousin.

Jelly Belly Joel and Rockin' Rex are theKeeper Brothers are a runnin' fer WhiskeyFlat Mayor. They say they got some hot damgood ideas fer the folks on the Flats. They alsosay the Flats need a couple of good ole boysto clean it up and make fer a better place tohang yer hat.

Them boys were a bred and born righthere afore them damn dam folks done wentand clogged up the ole Kern River. They donelearned a thing 'er two 'bout how ta keepthangs tidied up and makin' a happy place ferall you folks. If'n folks be happy, they be aspendin' plenty more of thar gold dust 'roundtown and that be a makin' all them busynessfolks plumb happy.

All of the Keeper Brothers proceeds willgo to the Keepers of the Kern and to theNuui Cunni Indian Cultural Center.

What theWhiskey Flatmayors race isall about

In 1991, the Kernville Chamber washaving trouble getting Whiskey Flat Mayorcandidates. Then Chamber president,Lanny Borthick got the idea of splittingprofits with charitable organizations. Thegroup then agreed on a 60/40 split with 60per cent going to the Chamber. "That 60percent promotes local business, promotestourism, and keeps the visitors coming,"said Cheryl Borthick, the current KernvilleChamber President.

RodeoTerminolgy

Arena DirectorThe person responsible for conducting a

fast, smooth-running rodeo.

AverageAt rodeos with more than one g-round, con-

testants earn money for each go, and those withthe best total scores or times win additionalmoney.

page 14 February 2015 Whiskey Flat Claim Jumper

Rick Gonzalez760-379-4422

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Kernville's Whiskey Flat wild West Daze RodeoJohn E. McNally Arena Kernville Saturday & Sunday February 14th & 15thWhiskey Flat Claim Jumper

The Kernville Whiskey Flat wild WestDaze Rodeo is the town's first Rodeo of theseason and a rip roarin' western gathering.Get your boots and saddles and head on upfor this leap back to the good ol' wild westdays. The 2 day event is held at McNalleyRodeo Arena in Kernville at 1:00 p.m.

Kernville RodeoHistory

Irwin Wofford had the contract to pro-vide horses and cattle for these Westernsand John E. McNally, Jr. was one of theranchers who rented out his stock to the

movies. In the 40s and 50s, McNally alsosupplied horses and cattle for rodeos as faraway as Nevada and Oregon. He suppliedanimals for the Kernville Rodeo and main-tained the grounds and buildings for severalyears. The Kernville Chamber of Commercenamed those rodeo grounds the "John E.McNally Rodeo Grounds" and they remain inactive use. McNally also worked as a loggingtruck driver for Mount Whitney LumberCompany. He drove a DW-20 while workingon the Isabella Dam project in the late 40s,early 1950s. Along with author/historian,Ardis Manly Walker, John helped to start theannual Whiskey Flat Days Parade in 1957 andhe was there announcing from a portablestand in Circle Park for 28 years. He alsoserved as the parade's Grand Marshall.

Barrel RacingIn this event, time is the only enemy and

horsemanship is a rider's greatest weapon.Because of barrel racing's fast and furiouspace it is always a crowd favorite. Each con-testant enters the arena on a sprinting quar-ter horse at full gallop. An electronic eyebegins time the moment the rider enters andends the instant they leave. Every contestantmust ride a cloverleaf pattern around threebarrels before exiting the arena. A five-sec-ond penalty is awarded for each overturnedbarrel; however no penalty is given fortouching or moving a barrel. The final timesare recorded to the hundredths of a second.

Bull RidingThis is one rodeo contest the novice

spectator can enjoy fully as much as does thehard core fan. It, of course, demands athlet-ic skill and hard-won knowhow. But, essen-tially this is a contest of raw courage and atrue, deep-seated spirit of try. In short, ittakes good, honest guts.

A loose rope straps a man's hand tothree-quarters of a ton of awesome power.There isn't time to think and react. It mustbe natural, automatic coordination anddetermination that keeps the man on top. Ifthe spirit hesitates for a split second, evensubconsciously, the rider is doomed.

Though the rider isn't required to movehis feet as in bronc riding, you will see manycowboys do so. They are scrambling to keepcontact with the bull, whose power is toogreat to permit a solid lasting hold with therider's feet. The animal is still judged forhow hard he bucks, and the bulls that per-form in a tight, fast spin usually draw thehighest scores.

Steer RidingThis event is offered for our teenaged

cowboys and cowgirls ages 12 to 15. It issimilar to bull riding only the riders aremounted on steers-which can buck as anybull! The rider must stay mounted for eightseconds and is judged on how the animalbucks as well as how the contestant rides.The cowboy or cowgirl with the highestscore wins.

Mutton Bustin’This even has evolved over the past sev-

eral years for our young buckaroos ages 5 to7. These youngsters can give you a run fortheir money as they bounce out of a chutemounted on the back of a wooly sheep. No

rope is used, and these youngsters, wearingprotective helmets, can give as exciting a rideas seen anywhere. Each buckaroo is awardeda ribbon and bandana for their daredevil ride.

Hide RacingThe hide race is exciting and unique to the

Kern River Valley. The race consists of ateam of two of any gender. One person ismounted on horseback; the other is mountedon a rawhide attached to the end of a lariat.The person on horseback holds the otherend of the rope usually dallied around thesaddle horn and races around the arena,pulling their teammate on the rawhide. Theexcitement comes as the one on the rawhideis dragged around the arena flipping, turningand eating arena dirt at breakneck speed. Theteam with the fastest time wins.

Bell Calf RopingFor this event, the calves have turned into

young steers. A group of steers is turnedloose in the arena, and one wears a bellaround his neck. At the same time, allmounted contestants, cowboys or cowgirls,enter the arena on horseback with ropesready. The contestants attempt to rope thesteer wearing the bell. The one who ropesthe belled steer first wins.

Team RopingIn team roping, two riders are in a race

against the clock to rope both ends of asteer. The "header" rides from the left-handbox behind the barrier. The header's task isto rope the steer first, ideally by the horns,but no penalty is awarded for catching it byeither the neck or "half head," which is onehorn and neck. After the catch, the header"dallies," or wraps the roe around the saddlehorn, and turns the steer to the left in a widearc. His teammate, the "heeler," who ridesfrom the right box, stays behind the steeruntil the header turns it. The heeler's task isto rope both the steer's back legs with onethrow. If he manages to catch only one hindfoot, the team receives a five-second penalty.Time is stopped when both ropes are tightand cowboy's horses are facing each other.

Before his death at age 94 in July 2007, JohnE. McNally, Jr. said, "I wouldn't trade any-thing I've done. I'd do it all over again. Mylife has been very interesting with lots ofexperiences."

Rodeo Events


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Kernville's Whiskey Flat wild West Daze RodeoJohn E. McNally Arena Kernville Saturday & Sunday February 14th & 15thBareback Rigging

A leather fixture with a suitcase-like handlethat the rider grips with one hand.

Barrier A line stretched across the roping box that

is released when a calf or steer crossed thescoreline. If the contestant rides through,breaks the barrier before it is released, a ten-second penalty is added to his total time.

Bull RopeA flat, braided rope that circles the bull's

chest and is the rider's only means of holdingon. No cinches or buckles are allowed-it's heldin position by the grip of the rider. A heavy bellattached to the rope pulls the rope free after theride.

CantleThe seat back of a bronc riding saddle. The

rider attempts to reach the cantle at the end ofa spurring stroke. This is called "cantle-board-ing."

Catch-as-catch-canA calf roper is allowed to catch the animal

in any way he chooses as long as he turns looseof the rope when throwing the loop, and solong as the rope hold the calf until the roperreaches it.

Contact RuleStates that bucking horse riders must place

their heels above the horse's shoulders, makingcontact until the first jump is completed. If therider fails to do so, he "misses the mark" and isdisqualified.

DallyA turn of the rope around the saddle horn.

Team ropers dally their ropes after a catch tosecure the steer.

DinkA bucking horse with a reputation as a poor

bucker.

Dog-fallDowning the steer in steer wrestling so all

four feet and the head are not facing the samedirection. Illegal. To get a time, the cowboymust turn the steer over or let it up and throwit again legally.

DrawStock selection.

Entry feeThe money paid by the contestant before he

can compete at a rodeo. Contestant must pay aseparate entry fee for each event entered.

Fair(Legal) Catch: In team roping, the header

must catch the steer around the horns, head orneck.

FlagmanRodeo Official who signals the end of

elapsed time in the timed events.

Flank StrapA sheepskin-lined strap with a quick-release

buckle that is passed around th flank of a buck-ing horse or bull. It causes no pain but encour-ages the animal to buck.

Free HandThe hand not used to hold on during a ride.

The rider is not disqualified if he touches theanimal, himself or his equipment with his freehand.

Go-roundThat part of a rodeo event in which every

contestant has competed on one head of stock.Hazer

A cowboy who rides alongside a steer oppo-site the steer wrestler. His job is to keep thesteer running straight and close to the contes-tant's horse.

High RollerA horse that leaps high into the air when

bucking.

HondoThe eye in one end of a lariat through which

the opposite end is passed to form a slidingloop.

HooeyThe half-hitch knot a calf roper uses to tie

three of the calf's legs.

Lap and TapAn even start where the cattle in timed

events do not get an advantage of 10 to 30 feet;used in small arenas.

No Time (NT)Failure to qualify on timed event cattle, sig-

naled by field flagman waving his flag side toside.

Pickup ManMounted arena official who assists bareback

and saddle bronc riders in dismounting fromtheir horses.

Piggin' StringSmall soft rope, six feet long used by calf

ropers to tie the animal's feet.

Pulling leatherWhen a saddle bronc rider touches any part of

the saddle with his free hand during the eight-sec-ond ride he is said to be pulling leather, or "grab-bing a the apple" and is disqualified.

RakeSpurring action of the rider on rough-stock.

Bareback and saddle bronc riders are requiredto continue spurring throughout the rides; bull

riders are not, but sometimes score higher whenthey do so.

Re-rideAnother ride given to a bronc or bull rider in

the same go-round when either the animal or cow-boy is not afforded a fair opportunity to show hisbest, such as a chute-fighting animal that is impos-sible to get mounted on, when the animal falls ordrags the cowboy off the chute gate.

Score1. Distance between the chute opening and

the score line; the head start timed event cattleare given in roping and steer wrestling, deter-mined by the size of the arena. 2. The marking

given rough-stock riders by the judges after aqualified ride.

RowelCircular, notched, bluntly pointed and free-

wheeling portion of a spur. They do not cut abronc or bull.Score

1. Distance between the chute opening andthe score line; the head start timed event cattleare given in roping and steer wrestling, deter-mined by the size of the arena. 2. The markinggiven rough-stock riders by the judges after aqualified ride.

Turn OutTo withdraw from a competition.

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