By Daniel Lapham,

Reporter,

The 38^th annual Mustang Western Days begins tomorrow as businesses across town decorate their windows to show off their western spirit. Beyond the window dressing, the event promises to be a weekend packed with rodeo exhibitions, a car show, carnival rides, free music and a 5K/1-mile stampede fun run for all ages.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. at the Mustang Town Center, 1201 N. Mustang Road, with a Chili Cook-Off, followed by the Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl Contest at 6:30 p.m. A free gospel music show will begin at 7 p.m. in the gazebo, followed by the Mustang Roundup Club Open Rodeo at 8 p.m.

Carnival rides and games will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Starting out bright and early Saturday, the Mustang Kiwanis Club will host an all you can eat pancakes and sausage with its annual breakfast beginning at 6:30 a.m. and serving hotcakes until 10:30 a.m. The breakfast will be at Mustang United Methodist Church and the cost is $5 per person with children under 5 free.

The 34^th annual Western Days Stampede is scheduled to begin with a bang at Bronco Stadium, as racers in four events line up to show their talents. The Mustang Pacesetters Club sponsors the event and it’s the biggest fundraiser for the Broncos cross country team.

The four races include the Elementary Mile (first- through fourth-graders), the Intermediate Mile (fifth- and sixth-graders), the Middle School Mile (seventh- and eighth-graders) and the Open 5K, which is a 3-mile race that anyone can run.

“This event is one of the longest-running races for children in the country,” Mustang head girls cross country coach Vickie Bailey said. “This means a lot to our community and our program.”

The OK Mustang Club Open Car Show, vendor booths and the library book sale are all scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Town Center.

“The car show during Western Days has been held for over 30 years and out of five shows a year, this is the only judged car show,” said show chairman and president Allen King.

The show is unique because it involves participant judging, it’s also an open class car show and any car or truck with four wheels or more is allowed in the show.