An Oakland parade and festival dating back a half-century returned Saturday in its quest to preserve the often neglected legacy of the Black cowboy in the Old West.
Black cowboys and cowgirls paraded around DeFremery Park to kick off Saturday’s free event, which continued with a heritage festival featuring educational activities, local vendors and artwork, plus a Western attire contest, musical performances, pony rides, a petting zoo and other children’s activities.
The parade and festival were organized by the Oakland Black Cowboy Association, founded in 1976 by Lonnie Scoggins, who rode the range of the Southwest before settling in the city. Scoggins, who died in 2003, sought to underscore the role of people of color in shaping the Old West…