Los Altos Town Crier » Westwind Barn to hold ‘Hoedown’ Saturday

By Town Crier Staff

$Image from article Westwind Barn to hold \'Hoedown\' Saturday$

“Hoedown,” Westwind Barn’s annual fund-raising event, is scheduled Sept. 6 at 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills.

The community is invited to this 26th annual fund-raiser, an evening of entertainment, food and a silent auction. Items at the silent auction include designer furniture, floral arrangements, decorator baskets and numerous other goods and services donated by Los Altos merchants and friends of Westwind.

The Westwind Hoedown begins at 5 p.m. with equestrian performances featuring young members of the Pacific Ridge Chapter of the U.S. Pony Club, a demonstration by young, disabled 4H riders, graceful ballet-like dressage, a performance by the Westwind Barn Drill Team strutting to music on horseback, and the First California Hungarian Hussar Regiment in full dress uniform with their chargers. Children are invited to participate in pony rides and a petting zoo.

The barbecue dinner at 6:15 p.m. is provided by Armadillo Willy’s. Early reservations are advised, as there are only 350 tickets available. The Hoedown is sold out every year.

Proceeds benefit the 4H Westwind Riding Institute, which teaches disabled children to ride; and support Westwind Barn’s preservation efforts.

Westwind Barn dates back to the 1940s. Hungarian Countess Margit Bessenjey purchased the property in 1971 to house a world-class breeding farm and training center for her Hungarian thoroughbreds, rescued during World War II by the U.S. cavalry. The countess donated the barn to the town of Los Altos Hills in 1975. This was planned to complement the earlier donation of 55 acres adjacent to the barn, known as Byrne Preserve, by Dr. Albert Byrne.

Westwind Barn is one of the few community-owned barns in the country. It is the property of the town of Los Altos Hills and is leased by Friends of Westwind Inc., a non-profit membership organization.

Dinner tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and children 6-12 years old, $5 for children under 6. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 941-6113 or logon to www.westwindbarn.com.