By Catherine Christiansen
Join the fun and excitement of the 64th Annual Redwood Riders Black Bart Parade Saturday, June 28 in Redwood Valley.
No entry fee – everyone is welcome! Whether you are a horse owner or not, decorate your ride and join the parade. Prizes and cash awards for Best Black Bart, Baby Black Bart, and more!
Schedule and location
Registration: 9 a.m. at the Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley. Lineup begins: 10 a.m. Parade starts: 11 a.m. Judging: In front of the Fire StationImmediately following the parade enjoy BBQ – Awards Ceremony – Live Music at the Redwood Riders Arena. Don’t miss the best in the West and Most Talked About in the East BBQ made possible through:
Community donations Redwood Riders volunteers Your generous support The culinary skills of Jessica Taaning and her crew!Parade rules
No alcohol allowed before or during the parade, on the arena grounds, or along the parade route.
Stallions may only be ridden by participants 18 years or older.
About the parade
The first Black Bart Parade was held on June 29, 1961, organized by the founding members of the Redwood Riders. It was created to give Redwood Valley its own community celebration and to raise awareness of cancer.
The parade is always held the Saturday before the Willits 4th of July Parade, and many Redwood Valley and Willits residents have enjoyed and participated in both events over the years. What better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday and honor the spirit of the Old West.
In 1992, the parade was at risk of being canceled – until Jessica Taaning, a fifth- generation Redwood Valley resident, stepped up to keep it going. She’s been making sure the parade happens every year since!
Who was Black Bart?
Charles Boles, aka Black Bart, was born in February, 1829. He learned to farm with his family, then he and his brothers panned for gold in California. He returned home to enlist in the Army, (Company B, 116th Illinois Regiment), and fought in the Civil War.
After the war he returned to the West again for the gold. After an unpleasant encounter with some Wells Fargo & Company agents he vowed to exact revenge. He adopted the nickname “Black Bart” and robbed at least 28 Wells Fargo stagecoaches across northern California and Oregon – on foot (he was afraid of horses)!
Black Bart was also known for:
His politeness (he never fired a shot or used foul language – except in his poems)
His disguise – a long linen duster coat, bowler hat, flour sack with eye holes and a shotgun
Leaving behind clever poems, like this one:
From the Aug. 3,1877 hold up (Point Arena to Duncan Mills):
“I’ve labored long and hard for bread,
For honor and riches;
But on my corns too long you’ve tread,
You fine-haired sons of b*itches.”
And from July 28, 1878 hold up (Quincy to Oroville):
“Here I lay me down to sleep
To wait the coming morrow,
Perhaps success, perhaps defeat,
And everlasting sorrow.
Let come what will, I’ll try it on,
My condition can’t be worse;
And if there’s money in that box
‘Tis munny in my purse.”
For movie buffs and costume ideas:
A Romance of the Redwoods (1917) – Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Mary Pickford Black Bart (1948) – Universal Studios, starring Dan Duryea Stories of the Century (1954) – Featuring Arthur Space as Black BartCome have fun with your neighbors and friends! Experience true community spirit – without draining your pocketbook. For more information, contact Jessica Taaning at 707-485-0487, or Bev Klee at 707-272-4336.
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