day_of_cowboy

Hill Country SUN

Cowboy capital celebrates American cowboy July 25

By Ernie Altgelt
America loves its cowboys. Those ruggedly independent, straight shooters who can ride, rope, throw and tie (and never tell a lie) have been publicly celebrated in countless ways since the cattle culture of the Old West first thundered across the prairies.
In paintings and on film, in histories and novels alike, and especially at rodeos and other daring demonstrations, these (past and present) hard riders of the round up still generate awe and admiration for their remarkable skills and abilities and, perhaps even more importantly, for their many contributions to America’s rough and tumble evolution.
As a symbol of national appreciation in 2005, President George W. Bush and Congress authorized the last Saturday in July be officially designated “The National Day of the American Cowboy.”
In 2009, this very special commemoration falls on Saturday, July 25, and (fortunately for denim-clad devotees in the Hill Country and beyond) no community has planned a bigger, better or more appropriate tribute than the Lone Star State’s aptly nicknamed “Cowboy Capital of the World,” Bandera.
Like any busy day, it’s best to get started with a hearty breakfast. With that in mind, early attendees are encouraged to follow the beckoning aromas from an open cooking fire to the spacious Bandera County Courthouse lawn (centrally located on the town’s iconic Main Street).
Beginning at 8 am (and for a modest five dollars a head), chuck wagons will begin serving (in mass) that perennial cow camp favorite—warm, moist and extremely flavorful Dutch oven-baked biscuits ladled with generous dollops of homemade gravy. Gallons of fresh-brewed coffee and other beverages complete this very satisfying and sustaining morning repast.
When the courthouse clock strikes 9 am (and lasting until 4 pm), Bandera’s salute to the American cowboy continues with a rip-roaring bang as the shade-dappled lawn plays host to an exciting variety of cow town characters guaranteed to entertain and amaze one and all.
Visitors will delight to myriad trick ropers, storytellers, musicians, gunfighters (shooting blanks), leather carvers, mounted riders, blacksmiths, even roaming longhorns – all seemingly right out of the 1880s.
Additional activities include the always-popular stick-horse races, cow chip tossing and a children’s cowboy dress-up area. On-hand and accessible throughout the festivities will be many of Bandera’s own world-class, champion rodeo cowboys.
At noon on the grounds, true cowboy aficionados will want to witness the 2009 inaugural inductions into the newly established Texas Heroes Hall of Honor.
During this stirring ceremony, sponsored by Bandera’s venerable Frontier Times Museum (located around the corner from the courthouse on 13th Street and certainly worth a visit), nine notable individuals will be recognized (some posthumously) for their personal accomplishments in bettering their home state of Texas.
For many, the highlight of the occasion will be the Western arts and crafts General Store Market. Savvy shoppers will delight to the works of a host of gifted artisans (many of whom are local) displaying their wares and creations.
Countless decorative, practical or “just plain fun” handcrafted, Western-themed items (priced for all budgets) will be available. A number of local merchants will also feature tempting National Day of the American Cowboy sales.
At 6 pm, the action shifts to comfortable Mansfield Park on Highway 16 just north of downtown.
Following a delicious, $10-a-plate barbecue meal (replete with brisket, sausage and wild pork, each smoked to perfection then served with all the fixings), the area favorite “Almost Patsy Cline” band takes center stage setting a tempo ideal for a little mandatory, after dinner two-stepping.
Finally, as the perfect grand finale befitting of this very special cowboy commemoration, the day’s activities will conclude at the park’s arena with the Frontier Times Ranch Rodeo—a pending qualifier for the South Texas Ranch Rodeo finals.
Those who have never seen a ranch rodeo will be in for a treat. Cowboys enter in teams of five with the intent of showcasing their cattle-handling aptitude and horsemanship.
Various skills will be contested in an array of challenging events including team roping, bronco saddling, branding, wild cow milking and others. This top-hand competition begins at 8 pm and promises to be quite a show, so don’t be late. There is a $10 admission fee for adults, $6 for kids six to 12, and the fun is free to cowpokes five and under.
FYI • Bandera’s National Day of the American Cowboy celebration is Saturday, July 25. Proceeds benefit the Frontier Times Museum, a non-profit organization. There are no admission fees to the courthouse areas and parking is free at all events. Personal lawn chairs are welcome at the courthouse and park. For more information, including purchase of advance tickets to the barbecue and rodeo, call 830-796-4447 or visit the web site at www.frontiertimesmuseum.org.

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