WESTERN HEROES FOR A DAY COWBOY POETRY AND MUSIC FESTIVAL RIDES OFF INTO SUNSET.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

NEWHALL - The twanging sounds and grilled smells of the gone-but- not-forgotten cowboy era filled Placerita Canyon on Sunday, as this year's Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival closed up shop.

Nearly 10,000 people strolled along Main Street during the three-day festival, soaking up the sights and sounds of Melody Ranch's 1800s western town, tapping their cowboy boot-clad toes to the sound of singing cowboys and cowgirls and chowing down on all sorts of western grub.

``It is nothing but good, plain, simple, old-fashioned fun,'' said Tamme Benzing, of Diamond Bar who came to the festival with her 4-year-old daughter, Amanda, and husband, A.J. - all dressed to the nines in ``antique clothes.''

The ninth annual festival, sponsored by the city of Santa Clarita, celebrates the area's western heritage. Many of the celluloid westerns that captured the heart of America and made actors like John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Gene Autry stars were filmed here, and have left a lasting impression.

Some of those much-loved TV shows and movies were brought back to life on Melody Ranch's Main Street by impersonators. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans strolled up and down the dusty street, stopping to pose for pictures with delighted fans.

``I loved Roy and Dale,'' said Martina McLeod of Canyon Country. ``And this brings it all back.''

For Jesse Luna and Carlo Tellez, the festival is a chance to bring back their alter egos - The Cisco Kid and Pancho, silver screen heroes of yesteryear.

``The best part is interacting with the crowd,'' Luna said. ``And making the young people laugh and seeing the older people's eyes light up with memories.''

Under a hot sun and a cool breeze, an enthusiastic crowd clapped in time with performers on the three free stages and laughed with countless street players while browsing in booths.

Friends Gail Bennett and Mary DuPlan, of Tehachapi, came to see the musical performers, especially headliner Michael Martin Murphey.

``We came last year, but this year was better,'' Bennett said, fingering her suede-fringe vest. ``We've really enjoyed ourselves.''

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(1 -- 2; 1 ran in Valley edition only; 2 -- color in SAC edition only -- ran in Valley and SAC editions only) Featured entertainment Sunday at the Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival in Newhall included a Michael Martin Murphey performance, right. At left, Jim Brooks of Woodcrest teaches roping techniques to Marie Wise-Hawkins, 13, of Canyon Country.

(3 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Former Studio City resident Karen Quest jokingly looks at her watch during her trick roping display. Quest now lives in San Francisco.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer