Santa-Cali-Gon

The long-standing Independence tradition, the SantaCaliGon® Days Festival, has a lot to celebrate! The festival hosted by the Independence Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Xfinity will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2022.

The annual SantaCaliGon® Days Festival, held Labor Day Weekend, commemorates the origin of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails in Independence during the country’s great westward expansion by early pioneers. The first SantaCaliGon Days Festival was held in 1940 to celebrate the unique heritage of the City of Independence as the starting point of the three trails. A second celebration was held after World War II in 1947. The festival was not held again until 1973.

The festival, then called Three Trails Days, featured a beard and mustache contest, the Miss Independence pageant, and a pioneer costume contest. In 1974 the festival was renamed Santa-Cali-Gon Days, a name originally penned by Velma Katschkowsky in a 1940 contest to name the festival. In 50 years, the festival has evolved into one of the regional’s premier festivals, drawing more than 300,000 people to celebrate the end-of-summer and contributes millions of dollars in economic impact over Labor Day weekend in Independence. The region’s oldest and largest FREE festival features entertainment, delicious food, handcrafted arts and crafts, a world-class carnival and two stages throughout the fun-filled weekend.

Vendor booths occupy nine square blocks in the historic downtown of Independence — the same location that blacksmiths and merchants outfitted wagon trains for their long and arduous trek west of the Missouri River in the 1800s. Today, festival goers enjoy demonstrations of blacksmithing, wood carving and other trades; a variety of handcrafted items, including jewelry, soaps, and wood crafts; as well as popular festival fare including everything from homemade root beer and kettle corn to steak sandwiches and Greek salad. Arts and crafts, as well as commercial vendors, are welcome to showcase their products and services at SCG. Online registration is available for the 2022 festival at SantaCaliGon.com/vendor-faq-2022.

The festival’s Main Stage has featured many national country music acts such as artists Clint Black, the Dixie Chicks, Dierks Bentley, Brett Eldridge as well as legendary artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Wynonna (Judd) and the Big Noise, who did not disappoint. Most recently, Country music’s award-winning band, Sawyer Brown.

The golden anniversary celebration promises to bring the same quality entertainment as in years past with the kick-off on the Main Stage happening Friday, September 2nd beginning at 6:00pm with a local favorite the Carl Worden Band, followed by the Nashville based band and festival favorite Stone Senate at 7:30pm, and the headliner, award-winning American country music band Little Texas, beginning at 9:30pm. Little Texas was scheduled to perform last year during the festival; however, their performance was cancelled due to inclement weather. As part of the Young Country movement of the early ‘90s, Little Texas were responsible for shaking up the country music world with a new, energetic sound that fused the look and attitude of modern rock music with traditional country themes and styles, bringing a much-appreciated bolt of life into the genre. Their first radio release in 1991, “Some Guys Have All The Love,” became a Top-10 hit, as did their next single, “First Time For Everything.” After the album First Time For Everything was released, five singles reached the top of the charts. Little Texas is breaking new sonic ground with the release of their 8th album, Young For A Long Time.

On Saturday, September 3rd, festival goers can enjoy music beginning at 6:30pm from the local band Last Kiss - A Tribute to Joe Bonamassa Music, followed by the southern rock and roll band from South Alabama, Red Clay Strays at 8:00pm, and the headliner, multi-platinum, and award-winning group, Lonestar. Lonestar topped the charts in 1996 with the single the rock edged "No News," which describes a man left bereft (and confused) when his girlfriend suddenly disappears, and the following year's tender "Come Cryin' to Me" and “Everything’s Changed.” The band's quadruple-platinum 1999 album Lonely Grill spawned four No. 1 hits (including the beloved global smash "Amazed") and established Lonestar as music's preeminent pop-country band—a status they'd maintain through the 2000s and beyond, thanks to songs full of energy and creative lyrics ("What About Now") and ("Mr. Mom"), along with heartfelt messages and soaring melodies (“I’m Already There”).

Sunday night, September 4th, promises even more phenomenal entertainment beginning with the ultimate tribute experiences of the Steve Miller Experience (3:15pm), Bad Company Tribute (5:00 pm), Bob Segar Tribute (7:00pm), and ending the evening with the one-of-a-kind show from The Rock Gods beginning at 9:00pm. The Rock Gods provide an authentic salute to Rock and Roll’s most legendary acts including Van Halen, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Ozzy, KISS, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, Poison and many more.

All the concerts are FREE; however, VIP wrist bands will be available for limited premium front of the stage seating and will be sold online in advance for $30/person and can be used the entire weekend at the Main Stage. Wrist bands will be available for purchase through the www.SantaCaliGon.com website beginning May 1st.

The popular Community Stage features local and regional talent throughout the daytime and local bands in the evening, where you can kick back and enjoy live music under the night sky. Watch for the complete lineup of the weekends’ entertainment for the Community Stage coming soon.

Kids of all ages can experience the past, at Main Street 1849 (presented by the City of Independence) located on Main Street between Lexington & Kansas streets; guests can enjoy live entertainment, games and activities, live demonstrations and celebrate our pioneering past by interacting with true-to-life pioneer actors.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Independence’s premiere event, than to bring our community together to enjoy great music, arts & craft booths, delicious food, carnival rides, and fun activities for the entire family, this Labor Day Weekend,” said Independence Chamber of Commerce President, Tom Lesnak.

The festival provides an excellent value for sponsors as the venue attracts large audiences and the comprehensive marketing strategy is highly effective. Logo recognition in signage, programs, maps, as well as on billboards, television, radio, and social media are included in that plan. The return on sponsorship investment is phenomenal.

The festival has also proven to be a successful fundraising opportunity for local nonprofits. More than 50 organizations report earning nearly 100% of their annual budget at SCG.

Witness history, enjoy great entertainment by talented performers, check out products created by artists, entrepreneurs, and craftsmen. It’s a big community party where there is truly something for everyone!

For more information about the festival visit SantaCaliGon.com.

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