Wild West Frontier Festival set for June 6-7

EDGEWOOD — The dusty streets of “Jamestown” will roar back to life this summer as the Wild West Frontier Festival returns to Wildlife West Nature Park, offering a high-noon escape into the 1880s for visitors across the East Mountain region.

Scheduled for June 6–7, the annual event transforms the 122-acre wildlife refuge into a bustling frontier settlement. Organizers say the festival is designed as an immersive “living history” experience, complete with iconic characters, gunfight reenactments, and the return of the popular Sunday chili cook-off.

What to Expect

Visitors entering the park will be greeted by the sights and sounds of a pre-statehood New Mexico. The 2026 lineup features the New Mexico Gunfighters Association, whose staged shootouts serve as a centerpiece of the weekend’s entertainment.

On three separate stages, the festival will host live music, comedy acts, and dance performances. Key historical figures appearing this year include “Ebeneezer Grimey” of Boxwell Funeral Home—ready to offer pine boxes to those who lose the draw—and Doc Lisa May Callahan, who will be peddling “miracle cures” to weary gold miners.

Interactive Frontier Life

Beyond the performances, the event offers hands-on activities that highlight daily survival and leisure in the 1880s:

• Gold Prospecting: Visitors can try their luck at “panning for gold” in real dirt.
• Frontier Quest: A themed adventure through the park where participants can win prizes.
• Sunday Chili Cook-Off: On June 7, local cooks will compete for bragging rights as the best chili maker in town.
• Barn Dance: A Saturday night “Barn Dance” (21+) will offer live music, dancing, and a silent auction.

Conservation and Community

While the festival focuses on human history, it serves a dual purpose as a fundraiser for the Wildlife West Nature Park, a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating native New Mexico animals. Attendees can visit the park’s residents—including cougars, grey foxes, and coyotes—between the festival’s historical exhibits.

Event Logistics

The festival gates open at 10:00 a.m. daily. Tickets are priced at $30 for adults at the gate, while seniors and military members can attend for $20. In an effort to keep the event family-friendly, children aged 17 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

Free parking is provided at the Wildlife West Nature Park, located at 87 N. Frontage Road. For those traveling from outside the Edgewood area, camping options are available for the duration of the weekend.