OAKLAND, Calif. - DeFremery Park in West Oakland transformed into the Wild Wild West on Saturday.

A West Oakland tradition

For the 51st year, the Oakland Black Cowboy Association put on the Black Cowboy Parade and Heritage Festival.

"A lot of our babies don't know it. In the beginning, there have always been black cowboys," said Oakland Black Cowboy Association treasurer Wilbert McAlister.

"A lot of African Americans were involved in coming from the East to the West and carving the route," said Oakland Black Cowboy Association president Royland Bailey.

The event – featuring pony and horse rides, a petting zoo, live music and local businesses – celebrates the contributions of black cowboys to the American West.

"When I was growing up in Michigan, I didn't know anything about black c

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