The Oakdale Garden Club along with Project Coordinator Dan Holman will be hosting a champagne reception at the unveiling of the recently installed capstones surrounding Oakdale’s famous “Yesterday Is Tomorrow” cowboy statue in front of the Oakdale Cowboy Museum on Saturday, July 26 at 12:30 p.m. The unveiling and reception are open to the public.

The unveiling will be held in conjunction with the celebration of the National Day of the American Cowboy. In 2006, President George Bush signed a resolution designating the fourth Saturday in July to celebrate the pioneering men and women recognized as cowboys that helped establish the American West in a day called The National Day of the American Cowboy.

The capstones, with family names and local ranch brands, were installed in an effort to beautify and protect the statue, sculpted by local artist Betty Saletta.

The statue was designed by Saletta and was placed in front of the Cowboy Museum in 1992 as an acknowledgment of Oakdale being the Cowboy Capital of the World.

“The Cowboy statue is the most recognizable landmark in our town and represents our western heritage,” said Holman. “The previous features surrounding the statue had numerous problems so I envisioned a planter and capstones with family names and brands on them that would enhance the beauty of the statue; a place that our community would be proud of.”

There will be drought-friendly landscaping around the well-known statue to accent the capstones and brands.

The Oakdale Garden Club, established in 1909 to plant trees, gardens and flowers in the city, will maintain the area. The spring blooming Dogwoods originally planted by the club are of particular pride to the city. Over the years the club has undertaken many city beautification projects including planting trees in many of the city parks, museum grounds, a rose garden at Oak Valley Hospital, and several projects at the Oakdale Citizens Cemetery.