Rose and the Goldfield Gunfighters were just one of the many Western reenactment troupes that brought Arizona’s rich history to life Saturday at the Mesa Old West Days Festival, supported by downtown merchants.
Rose said their comical portrayal of western law and women’s triumphs is not exactly historically accurate.
“Back in the 1800s, things didn’t really happen like that,” she said. “But the crowds like it.”
“We’re really playing up on women’s independence and freedom,” Rose said. “Back then, women couldn’t even vote. They had it very rough.”
Rose said the history, though not always happy, is what drew her to join the Goldfield Gunfighters.
“I studied with the girls about the history of Western women in the 1800s and I just fell in love with it,” she said.
Along with women’s history, the event had historical representation from groups such as the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers, East Valley Lamplighters Barbershop Chorus & Quartets, Arizona Vintage Baseball League, and the Apache dancers, who performed in Mesa for the first time at the event.
However, history wasn’t the only attraction at the Mesa Old West Days.
Cowboys with snow cones strutted down MacDonald, dodging a train with oil drum cars for the kids.
Bloomers, corsets, boots with spurs, and facial hair were the fashion musts for the day; equally, frybread, chili, and kettle corn was the fare of choice for festival-goers.
Cynthia Smith of Chandler attended the event with her husband and children.
“We like culture and we like to see everyone dressed up,” Smith said. “We really like the reenactments.”
Wylie Boehs, a committee member for the event, said it was successful because of increased interest in Mesa’s Old West history.
“They used to do Mesa historical days all the time and I guess it just kind of fell out of style,” Boehs said. “We’re glad to bring it back.”
