BUENA PARK : Rain Can’t Wash Out Big Silverado Days

The chances that rain will fall on the city’s annual Silverado Days festival this weekend, the first time in 15 years, won’t change any plans or dampen any spirits, organizers said.

“You certainly don’t postpone an event like this,” said City Manager Kevin O’Rourke.

Kim Garber-Bond, a city recreation supervisor, said months of planning went into the 37th annual western hoedown at William Peak Park, a tradition that actually began 61 years ago as “Home Town Days.”

“Everything’s planned and nothing can be rescheduled. It’s just a shame if it rains because so much preparation has gone into this,” Garber-Bond said. “I think the damper is people won’t make the money they expect.”

Joe Klockgether, chairman and president of the Buena Park Noon Lions Club, which coordinates the event in cooperation with the city, said Silverado Days is expected to draw about 200,000 people during its four-day run, which began Thursday.

“It’s a community, hometown fair,” he said. “It’s like a reunion. Everybody keeps coming back to see their friends.”

The event is expected to raise about $150,000 for local charities, Klockgether said.

The highlight of the western-themed event is the grand parade today at 10 a.m. on La Palma and Valley View avenues, proceeding east to the park, off Knott Avenue at El Dorado Drive.

The event also features carnival rides, food booths--with local organizations selling fare to raise money for their groups--arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, games and contests.

The Silverado Days Roundup continues through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, followed by a chili cook-off and the 19th annual “Mutt Show,” in which dog owners and their pets compete in the “craziest costume” or “mutt-owner look-alike” contests.