Walking along Main Street, don’t be surprised at a sighting of "Holy Smoke, is it John Wayne?" Actually it is a professional impersonator of John Wayne. See the likenesses of Wayne’s contemporaries on the “Hands through History” plaques commemorating Sedona’s western movie history, located at the Cowboy Plaza, Orchards Plaza, and Matterhorn Shoppes.

Live western music by the Oak Creek Boys Band from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., will be performed outside near the Canyon Breeze Shops and Restaurant at Sedona Center, thanks to both Joe Wilcox Western Wear and the Stagecoach Emporium.

True West Magazine will have a booth at Orchards Plaza (across from Cowboy Plaza), and check out the recent issue that includes this event for national distribution.

At 4:30 p.m., a Spirit of the West outfit contest will be held at the Cowboy Club Plaza. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: youth 16 and under, and adults 17 and over. All contestants will be welcome to join in the parade that follows.

An American Cowboy Parade will take place on Jordan Road at
6 p.m. Bring a chair to sit and enjoy the festivities. Master of Ceremonies, John Conway of audioworxx, is donating his time to tell visitors all about the jeeps and cowboys from the local tour companies, the Northern Arizona Mounted Shooters of the Verde Valley, the Camp Verde Color Guard, and the Mounted Patrol of the Arizona Rangers and Sedona Police Department. Others will include riders from AAA Horse Boarding Center, and keep your eyes open for carriages and maybe even a hay wagon.

A “Meet and Greet” with special guests, Joey Dillon and Loop Rawlins, will take place at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, who is generously donating their accommodation at the resort. That’s scheduled after the American Cowboy Parade ends.

Plan to help Uptown Sedona celebrate recognition of the National Day of the American Cowboy.

The Sedona Main Street Program extends a special thanks to Red Rock Western Jeep Tours, Joe Wilcox Western Wear and Stagecoach Emporium, Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, True West Magazine, DiBattista Construction, On the Hoof Boot Company, Buffalo Don’s Corral, Clear Creek Trading Company, Cowboy Club Restaurant, Cowboy Jeep Tours, Made In Arizona Wine & Gifts, Ravenheart Coffee, Sedona Art Wear & T-Shirt Company, Sedona Trolley, Cahill Leather, Sedona Police Department, Sedona Volunteer Park Rangers, and Arizona Rangers.

This event is possible because of the generous financial and service support of these community businesses, organizations and our media partners, with the volunteer efforts of Gene “Rock” Kurz and the Sedona Main Street Program.

For more information about the Sedona Main Street Program call 928-204-2390 or visit www.sedonamainstreet.com.

Article courtesy of Holly Epright.

Posted July 18, 2008.