March 10, 2026
Johnsons Win Peg Leg Liars Contest
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Michael and Julia Johnson take top honors in Borrego Springs
Michael Johnson and Julia Johnson were named the winners of the 2026 Peg Leg Smith Liars Contest, held March 7 at American Legion Post 853 in Borrego Springs (circa 1916). Their winning performance, The Ballad of Peg Leg Smith, mixed music, costume, and tall-tale humor in a way that captured the spirit of one of Borrego Springs’ most distinctive traditions.
Michael opened by noting that he had won the contest the previous two years, making this his third straight victory. This year also marked the first time he and Julia Johnson performed together. In the act, Michael sang The Ballad of Peg Leg Smith, while Julia appeared as Sister Mary Virgin Cleopatra Gamora, adding to the comic stage presence that helped set the performance apart.
The performance played to the crowd with a mix of desert references, Borrego humor, and Peg Leg mythology. Johnson wove in mentions of local places, wild desert characters, and the enduring mystery of Peg Leg Smith’s lost mine, all while leaning into the exaggerated storytelling style that defines the contest. The finale brought the act back to its central idea: “We never found his mine, but we loved his mystery.”
The Peg Leg Smith Liars Contest remains one of Borrego Springs’ most memorable annual traditions, blending storytelling, local history, and comedy under the desert sky. Its roots go back generations, and the event continues to draw people who appreciate the odd, playful, and legendary side of Borrego Springs.
With this year’s win, Michael Johnson adds another chapter to that tradition, and with Julia Johnson joining him on stage, the 2026 contest also introduced a new performance pairing that clearly connected with the audience.
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