Oakdale’s annual Cowboy Christmas is on the schedule for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24 and this year will be a special one.

“It is the 20th year,” said Oakdale Cowboy Museum Executive Director Christie Camarillo.

The museum now hosts the event, which originally started as an Oakdale Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.

Camarillo said they jumped at the chance to take over hosting the festivities several years ago when the Chamber reassessed all its activities and have enjoyed offering it at the downtown Gene Bianchi Community Center for the last few years. On Friday afternoon and evening, vendors will be setting up and the booths will feature a variety of items.

“Inside we have 34 spots and outside we have 29 spaces,” Camarillo said. “And we’re sold out inside, with only a couple of spaces available outside.”

Cowboy Santa will be arriving on Saturday morning at 11 a.m., spending some time taking photos with youngsters and hearing their holiday wishes.

Parents and adults will enjoy the chance to get some holiday shopping in with plenty of unique arts and crafts vendors, and there will also be appearances by local authors D.B. Jackson and Ellington Peek, with their books for sale.

“We pray for good weather for our outside vendors,” Camarillo said. “We’re looking forward to big crowds.”

Members of the local High School Rodeo team will be doing the concessions, serving up food and beverages, with all proceeds benefitting the team.

Friday hours for the Cowboy Christmas are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.