Cowgirls will rule at Wild West City on June 26 when the Northwest Jersey theme park hosts its first annual Day of the Cowgirl. 

Most people know about female western legends such as Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane, but there are plenty of other women who played important roles in the taming of the old west. 

Wild West City, located in Byram Township, has been bringing the old west to life for over six decades. On Sunday June 26 the park wants to bring to life the stories of the many women of the west who were key to its history and feature present day cowgirls who continue to cultivate the spirit of the American Cowboy and Cowgirl!

Cowgirl Day will be all about boots, chaps and cowgirl hats! Watch as the wild women of the west take over Wild West City on June 26th. Cowgirl Day will feature Brave Beth and Cowboy Larry’s Wild West show with bull whip cracking, tomahawk throwing, balloon popping and so much more! Along with Sue Kids, trick and fancy roper and sharp shooter Nola on Big Red with her cowboy mounted shooting. Female actresses will also be taking the forefront on Wild West City’s Main Street. The day will also include best dressed cowgirl and cowboy contest and other activities.

For the past several years,  Wild West City has featured cowgirl Reillyanne Ruane, who may be the only current female stagecoach driver (but not the first at WWC) in the United States, and its iconic Can-Can Girls. (Photos of Reillyanne below and featured above by Jane Primerano)

Current cowgirl regulars include Sarah Hale, Juliet DiBonaventura, Kowgirl Katie Benson, Samantha Schuman, Claudia Butzfiscina and Robin Butzfiscina. Also representing Wild West City’s “female contingent” are Schoolmarm Alice Harrison and Jane Primerano. 

The day will feature historical cowgirls as well.  Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane are the two most recognizable figures of the time.   

Oakley was born Phoebe Ann Moses in Darke County, Ohio, and at the age of eight she started hunting. She would sell the game she shot to local restaurants to help earn money for her family. When she was fifteen, Oakley went to Cincinnati to compete against marksman Frank E. Butler. He travelled around the country challenging people to shooting competitions. During the competition, Oakley shot all twenty-five shots, and Butler missed one, making Oakley the winner. Butler was impressed by her skills, and soon they began courting. They were married August 23, 1876.  

The happy couple toured around the country, and Butler continued to perform as a marksman. Oakley acted as his assistant and held up items for Butler to shoot. She would also do some shooting. As she became more popular, she adopted the stage name of “Oakley.” On May 1, 1882, Butler’s shooting partner became ill, and Oakley filled in. From that moment, Oakley became part of the act. In March 1884, she met Sitting Bull, the Lakota Sioux leader who defeated General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He gave her the nickname “Little Sure Shot” after seeing her perform in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

Martha Jane Cannary, better known as Calamity Jane, was a well-known American frontierswoman, sharpshooter, and raconteur. In addition to many exploits she was known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok.  

Calamity was born in Princeton, Missouri. In 1865 her family migrated to Virginia City, Montana. During the five month wagon train trip she spent most of her time hunting. By the time they arrived in Virginia City she was considered a remarkably good markswoman and a fearless rider. Shortly after arriving in Black Foot in 1866 her mother died, followed by her father. Jane took on whatever job was available to provide for her siblings.  In 1870 she joined General George Armstrong Custer as a scout at For Russell, Wyoming and donned the uniform of a soldier. This marked the beginning of her habit of dressing like a man. Calamity was considered the most reckless and daring rider and one of the best shots in the West. 

While Oakley and Calamity Jane may be central western figures, there were many other women who were notable in the old west. They included: 

Mary Katherine Horony Cummings, also known as “Big Nose Kate,” was the longtime companion/common law wife of fabled gunfighter Doc Holliday.  

Known as the “Bandit Queen,” Belle Starr was born in 1848 as Myra Maybelle Shirley.  

Madame Moustache Dumont was a notorious gambler on the American Western Frontier, mainly during the California Gold Rush.  

One of Colorado’s earliest woman doctors, Susan Anderson was known as “Doc Susie” for her dedication to her medical practice.  

Mary Fields, also known as Stagecoach Mary or Black Mary, was the first African-American female mail carrier in the United States to travel on a Star Route.  

Wild West City, a New Jersey tradition, offers live action-packed shows, train and stagecoach rides, demonstrations, historical exhibits, music, special events and an opportunity for families to mingle with cowboys and cowgirls in “Dodge City.”  

Located near Routes 206, 80 and 46, Wild West City is open weekends through Father’s Day then daily through Labor Day, and weekends again until October 31. In October, Wild West City becomes the Haunted Wild West town with both daytime and nighttime events.  

Tickets for any Wild West City day can be purchased in advance online or the day of at the admission gate. Groups and children’s birthday parties are also welcome, but must make reservations in advance. For more information about Wild West City visit wildwestcity.com.