ENJOY FOUR DAYS OF POETRY AND MUSIC, EXHIBITS, RECEPTIONS, TRAIL AND TRAIN RIDES, CHUCKWAGON BREAKFAST, AND COWBOY PARADE!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th
Special performances in schools and other venues. Contact Karren Little at 970-382-8897 or Email
COWBOY THEATRE ~ “The Stagecoach Robbery” - Western Variety Show with a Twist
6:00pm, doors open at 5:00pm
Wild Horse Saloon ~ 601 E. Second Avenue
$15 Open Seating.
It’s a play! It’s a variety show!
Hosted by Lindy Simmons.
We’re sad to report that Dave Stamey is unable to be our Premier Performer, due to medical issues. We wish him a speedy recovery!
Instead, we’ve been able to arrange for a very unique show that rarely happens!
RJ Vandygriff & RW Hampton will be teaming up to bring you something really special!
You won't want to miss this amazing duo performance!
~ Two Premier Performances ~
Tickets $45 reserved / $35 general.
Durango's VFW Hall, 1550 Main Avenue
6:00pm
8:30pm
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th
DURANGO MUSIC AND POETRY TRAIN ON THE DURANGO SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD
The train leaves 8:15 am (be there early).
Arrive in Silverton just in time for lunch at one of the local restaurants or bring your own. The train arrives back in Durango at 5:40 pm, just in time for the Friday evening program at the VFW at 1550 N. Main Avenue.
Make your reservations by calling 970-247-2733.
COWBOY POET TRAILRIDE
10:00am
Offered by Bears Ranch, a beautiful two-hour trial ride through the San Juan Mountains. There’s no better way to see Colorado than from the back of a horse. Enjoy some classic western music and poetry along with a delicious cowboy lunch.
Space is limited.
Call 970-884-4049 or visit bearsranch.com for reservations.
(Advanced Reservations Encouraged)
SORREL SKY GALLERY "Cowboy Lineup Revealed"
5:00pm
828 Main Avenue
See the Durango Cowboy Gathering's new Cowboy Lineup image and meet the cowboys and cowgirls who are featured.
TWO EVENING PERFORMANCES OF COWBOY POETRY AND MUSIC
Durango VFW ~ 1550 Main Avenue
$45 (reserved) - $35 (general admission)
6:00pm
Caitlyn Taussig
Andy Nelson
RJ Vandygriff
Host - BJ Smith
8:00pm
Belinda Gail
BJ Smith
RW Hampton
Host - Andy Nelson
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th
COWBOY CHUCK WAGON BREAKFAST
7:30 to 10:00am
Corner of 5th Street and Main Avenue in downtown Durango (across from the Train Depot)
Biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs and lots of black coffee.
$12 for adults, tickets can be purchased at the Wagon! Kids 5 and under free.
Come early for breakfast and watch the Cowboy Parade!
RANCH PETTING CORRAL
8:00 to 11:00am
Hermosa Café Art Yard ~ 726 Main Ave..
This new event, featuring a variety of kid-friendly ranch critters, aims to provide a memorable and educational experience for families and children of all ages.
100 KIDS & HORSES
8:00 to 11:00am
700 Block of Main Avenue
Meet horses and take a ride! The first 100 kids age 12 and younger to signup will be treated to a short horseback ride supervised by professional wranglers from Bears Ranch and Colorado Trails Ranch.
Registration starts at 7:30 AM at the Derailed Pour House bumpout (725 Main Ave.).
Children may only be registered by their own parent or legal guardian.
WILD WEST SHOOTOUT, BEFORE THE START OF THE PARADE!
10:25am in front of the the Main Mall on Main Avenue.
Cowboys reenact a real gun battle that occurred on Main Avenue in 1906.
COWBOY PARADE
10:30am
Colorado’s largest motorless parade begins at the train depot on Main Avenue.
Contact Pam Jacobs at 1-512-517-5619 or email for details about participating in the parade.
Visit the Parade page for more information
QUICKDRAW CONTEST
11:00am
Alpine Bank parking lot ~ 1027 Main Avenue
Hosted by the Durango Creative District, the Quickdraw isn’t a gunfight. It’s a speed drawing contest. Participants face off with 30 seconds to draw a subject selected for each round. Artists dressed in cowboy fashion are allowed an extra ten seconds to create a masterpiece (so cowboy up to win!)
DAYTIME SESSIONS ~ FREE!
Cowboy Poetry and Music, Storytelling and Folklore
11:00 to 3:50pm
You will find musicians and poets at the Strater Hotel, Wild Horse Saloon, the Four Leaves Winery and strolling the streets. Concurrent sessions change every hour in each location.
Visit our Performer Page for a complete listing. In the Open Sessions, anyone can entertain.
To sign up, call Karren Little at 970-382-8897.
Daytime session schedule
WESTERN HERITAGE TRIBUTE
11:30am
The Strater Hotel's Mahogany Grill ~ 699 Main Avenue
Join us as we gather to celebrate parade Grand Marshals Ben & Linda Nighthorse Campbell. Hosted by Sue McWilliams. Lunch menu and cash bar, free entertainment.
COWBOY COMEDY REVIEW
1:30pm
Strater Hotel Pullman room ~ 699 Main Avenue
Adults $15. Children 12 and under FREE with an adult.
The hilarious BJ Smith will be joining invited performers to entertain you with stories to tickle your funny bone and set your toes to tapping.
WHIP CRACKING, GUN TWIRLING, TRICK ROPING
3:00pm
Wild Horse Saloon~ 601 E. 2nd Avenue
$15 Admission
Kristen Lloyd, "Krazy Ani" Midway, Utah
Kristen is an engaging Western performer and speaker, as well as an award-winning singer/ songwriter and author/illustrator who has been delighting audiences as “Krazy Ani the Train Robber” since 2010 with her gun twirling, trick roping, and whip cracking prowess. However, her greatest joy has been performing for elementary schools and helping kids “Find their Brave” through hands-on trick roping lessons and inspiring creative activities. You'll see Krazy Ani in our Cowboy Parade and at this special show on Saturday.
TOH-ATIN GALLERY
Toh-atin Gallery ~ 145 W 9th Street
4:30 - 5:30pm: Invited poets and musicians will perform their interpretation of this year’s limited-edition print, "Whoa Little Cowboy". Hosted by Lindy Simmons
5:30 - 7:30pm: Reception with artist Laurie Lee. Autographed prints will be available for $30
TWO EVENING PERFORMANCES OF COWBOY POETRY AND MUSIC
Durango VFW ~ 1550 Main Avenue
$45 (reserved), $35 (general admission)
6:00pm
Belinda Gail
BJ Smith
RW Hampton
Host - Andy Nelson
8:00pm
Caitlyn Taussig
Andy Nelson
RJ Vandygriff
Host - BJ Smith
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1st
10:00am
Durago Cowboy Church ~ 1867 Hwy 172
Inspirational poetry and music featuring invited performers. Potluck Lunch - bring your favorite side dish to share; meat will be provided. Hosted by Sam Noble.
