About this Event
On Saturday, November 7th the Peña Adobe open house event will feature performances by the Congressional Gunfighters of America, a professional acting stunt troupe that performs Old West re-enactments at historical events. The group was founded in 2012 and performs choreographed gunfight demonstrations with period-accurate weapons, and authentic clothing.
Meet Ron J. Jackson Jr., a bestselling author, historian, speaker and former award-winning journalist who has been writing professionally for 38 years. He is the author of numerous books, including the ground-breaking “Joe, the Slave Who Became an Alamo Legend”, winner of the prestigious Award of Merit for nonfiction from The Philosophical Society of Texas. Ron’s book traces Joe’s story from his birth in Kentucky through his life in slavery to the Texans’ battle for independence to his eventual escape and disappearance into the shadows of history.
Also at the event, from Concord, is the American Historical Brass Band Society. This vintage band is dedicated to reenacting Historical Brass Bands from the 1840’s–1910’s. The Society focuses on period accurate instruments, music and uniforms and only performs historically written tunes. Since our reenactment represents the mid 1800's when the Peñas and Vacas arrived, the band will be performing only music composed during and prior to the 1860’s.
Joe Hoberg, Blacksmith from Suisun Marsh’s National Estuarine Research Reserve, Rush Ranch, will share with park visitors traditional blacksmithing tools, equipment and techniques. Guests can watch as steel is forged into items and take part in an interactive demonstration with blacksmiths Joe Hoberg and Paul Corning.
Peña Adobe is the oldest fully restored structure in Solano County. It was built in 1842 by Juan Felipe Peña after he and Juan Manuel Vaca arrived from the New Mexico region. Tours of the Adobe will be conducted by 5th generation Peña family descendants Cecelia Peña and Darlene Coombs Stewart.
Native American Park docents Armando Perez and James Tunstall will be speaking, and other activities for children include roping “dummy” calves and panning for gold.
The park is also home to the Mowers-Goheen Museum, with its artifacts from the area’s settlement, as well as the Willis Linn Jepson Memorial Garden and the Indian Council Ground. Peña Adobe Park is located off I-80, left of the Lagoon Valley Park entrance. This event is free!
Event venue & nearby stays
Peña Adobe Regional Park, 4699 Peña Adobe Road, Vacaville, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.