While our world gets more technology oriented, there is a growing interest in discovering that part of our culture and history that represents a much simpler time. People are rediscovering skills, poetry, music, literature and lifestyle choices that seem to make them feel more connected and wholesome. The founders of this event made that realization when many folklorists from several western states met for the first time at the "Cowboy Poetry Gathering" in Elko, Nevada, back in 1985. Out of that event the idea for The National Cowboy Symposium took root and the has grown into the largest presentation in the U.S. of ranching, cowboys and the western way of life. Though the event focuses on U.S. Western folklore and lifestyle, it has attracted cowboys from around the world. Previous years exhibits and panel discussions have included International participation.
The three day event always takes place the weekend following Labor Day and is housed primarily at the Lubbock Civic Center. In addition to daily literary sessions, the event includes evening entertainment performances, storytelling, art and craft exhibits, photography exhibits, fine art galleries, western demonstrations like trapping, cutting and roping and, of course, western music and cowboy poetry.
 In honor of the best and the brightest who demonstrate the Cowboy Lifestyle and preserve its history, the American Cowboy Culture Awards are given out annually. This years honorees include: Miss Rodeo America/ Ashley Andrews, Bowman, North Dakota; Ranching/Mrs. Linda Davis,Cimarron, New Mexico; Western Art/Gary Niblett, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Cowboy Culture Event/Durango Cowboy Gathering, Durango, Colorado; Working Cowboy/Bill McClelland, Sterling City, Texas; Western Museum/ Desert Caballeros Museum,Wickenburg, Arizona; Western Writing & Publishing/ Randy Witte Peyton, Colorado; Rodeo-Barrel Racing and Roping/R.E. & Martha Josey,Karnack, Texas; Special Award/Carl Nafzger, Lexington, Kentucky and Olton, Texas; Special Award/ Mel & Wendy Potter, Marana, Arizona and Bancroft, Wisconsin.
Some of the most attended activities of the symposium are "The Parade of the Horse" which runs, or gallops actually, through downtown Lubbock. Also popular with attendees is a local trail ride which takes place on a beautiful Texas historic ranch. Perhaps the most popular event at the symposium however is the "National Championship Chuck Wagon Cook-offs." The chuck wagons of the old West that followed the trail herd and cooked at the roundups are gone. But the National Championship Chuck Wagon Cook-off is a revival of the skills that were used to keep the cowboys fed and fit. The cook-off is an event that brings to the wagon crew and those who eat at the wagon a chance to taste a part of western history.
 The Llano Estacado Driving Society will be providing free round trip rides in horse drawn vehicles from the Civic Center to the park area across the street where the chuck wagons and other outdoor exhibits are located.
Running simutaneously with the symposium is the West Texas Native American Association Pow-Wow. Here visitors can view native Art/Crafts Vendors, sample indigenous foods and watch traditional Indian dances.
Don't miss the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, the nation's premiere event honoring western heritage and the traditions of the American frontier. Your attention will be captured by poetry, music, stories, panel discussions, exhibits and trappings by and about the American Cowboy. With over one hundred western performers, poets, scholars, and hundreds of exhibits covering every imaginable western product, you'll be in cowboy heaven.
For Ticket and Vendor information contact:
National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration
P.O. Box 6638
Lubbock, Texas 79493
(806) 798-7825 or email cowboysymposium@suddenlink.net
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Rio Grande Valley
The American West will be celebrated in Lubbock, Texas, Sept. 6 - 9th at the