Black Cowboy Parade & Heritage Festival

October 4, 2025

The Oakland Black Cowboy Association was founded by Lonnie Scoggins, a cowboy who rode the range in the U.S. southwest before settling in Oakland, and the first Black Cowboy Parade in The Town was held in 1975. The nonprofit promotes the legacy of the Black Cowboys in the Wild West, a tradition that the organization has been trying to safeguard and share with younger generations.

At the festival, expect Black cowboys parading around DeFremery Park, activities for kids, vendors and artwork. The free festival takes place on Saturday, October 4 from 9 AM to 6 PM at Defremery Park (1651 Adeline Street).

More About the Oakland Black Cowboy Association

Did you know that in the Old West up to 1 in 4 cowboys were black?

The Oakland Black Cowboy Association also hosts dances, conducts speaking engagements and community events promoting the contributions of people of color to the Old West. The Oakland Black Cowboy Association strives to share the numerous contributions of Blacks and other People of Color to the building of the Old West. We invite you to learn along with us.