Q: Santa Clarita is filled with thousands of beautiful trees - and there is a new event to celebrate our urban forest. Tell us more about that!
We are excited to invite the community to Tree-mendous Arbor Day, presented by West Coast Arborists, a new Arbor Day celebration. Tree-mendous Arbor Day will be held on Saturday, April 11, from 10am to 2pm at Valencia Heritage Park. This free, family-friendly event invites residents to celebrate the importance of trees and green spaces through hands-on, educational and interactive activities. Attendees can take part in a ceremonial tree planting, receive free trees and mulch to use at home, witness a chainsaw carving demonstration and explore interactive exhibits centered on environmental stewardship. The event will also include dog adoptions. This will give families the opportunity to grow their households in a meaningful way while supporting local animal services. Designed to be both fun and informative, Tree-mendous highlights the city's ongoing commitment to sustainability and preserving Santa Clarita's natural beauty for future generations. For more information, please visit santaclarita.gov.

Q: Since William S. Hart Park was transferred from Los Angeles County to the City of Santa Clarita, there has been a lot of excitement about the history of the park. What areas have recently reopened to the public?There are many stories of our valley's past found at Hart Park, from the Ranch House with its poker table and saddles, to the quiet Dog Cemetery that shows just how much William S. Hart loved his four-legged companions. The city is proud to welcome guests back inside the Hart Mansion. This was where William S. Hart chose to make his home. Hart was Hollywood's first great cowboy star and one of the biggest film actors in the world from 1914 to 1925. When he retired, he didn't just ride off into the sunset. He gave his home and nearly everything inside to the public. You're not walking through a recreated space. You're stepping into his actual home, filled with his furniture, books, artwork, clothing and movie memorabilia. Hart's love for the West, with Western art, Native American beadwork and textiles, is reflected throughout the house. You'll even spot personal items and gifts from famous friends like Will Rogers, Wyatt Earp and Amelia Earhart. Some of the most charming pieces are the unexpected ones, including his son's wool swimming suits from the 1920s and a beautifully detailed quill-work vest dating back to the 1880s. The mansion's reopening is the perfect excuse to rediscover a place that's been part of our community for generations and see Hart Park from a whole new perspective. To learn more, please visit santaclarita.gov/hartpark.

Q: Spring means the Cowboy Festival is just around the corner! What can we expect this year?
This year, on April 18 and 19, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary, making it the biggest and most anticipated event of the year. This annual highlight marks both a special milestone and the first event at William S. Hart Park since the City of Santa Clarita took ownership. Get ready for a weekend full of live musical performances, cowboy culture, Wild West activities and everyone's favorite: dutch-oven peach cobbler. For the first time, the Cowboy Festival will include a line dancing competition. The prelims will be held the weekend before the Festival on April 11 at 6pm at Lucky Luke Brewing. The finals will take place on Friday night of Festival weekend at Hart Park, beginning at 6pm. If line dancing or country swing is your thing, come get in on the fun and compete for prizes. Beginners will also get a chance to learn how to line dance with Dancing into the Dusk. Held Saturday night of the Festival, there will be line dance instruction for all skill levels, a DJ, food trucks and on-site Lucky Luke Brewing. VIP tickets for the Cowboy Festival are on sale now. Also, don't miss the chance to participate in or witness couples proclaiming their love at Cowboy Weddings! To get all the details and see the full lineup for the 30th Anniversary of the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, please visit cowboyfestival.org.