SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Boots will be on the ground this weekend in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood as the Black Cowboys Parade returns for its third year.

“We’re going to do a parade from Sac High, down 35th to McClatchy Park,” said event organizer Rashid Sidqe.

The event celebrates the history of Black pioneers in America — many of whom were cowboys. 

“A lot of people don’t know that Black cowboys are our history. They call it Black history, but it’s American history,” Sidqe said.

Spectators can expect prancing horses, marching bands and lively line dancing as part of the festivities.

“Started out kind of small. This is the third year, and it has grown exponentially. It’s just unifying. It’s unity in the community,” said co-organizer Bryan Jones.

The celebration continues at McClatchy Park with the Down Home Blues music festival. 

“We’re going to have fun. We’re going to have Christopher Williams singing on the mic. But really the thing is the horses, the young people and the great history of the Black cowboys,” Sidqe said.

A few horses and young riders even visited ABC10 ahead of the parade to give a preview and invited the community to enjoy the full experience, which also includes a BBQ cookoff.

“We’re going to have some young men and ladies that have been working and getting geared up for this to bring you a BBQ experience you’ll never forget,” Jones said.

Sidqe added, “And we want to do this every year in Oak Park just to show the history of the Black cowboys.”

The Black Cowboys Parade and Down Home Blues music festival takes place this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Oak Park. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. 

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