101 Essential Western Events
by Kelly Davidson & Laura Lieff
Break out your new ’07 calendar and jot down these essential events. A.C.’s editors and staff scoured the country, looking far and wide, high and low, behind every nook, under every rock, and in every corner— all so we could bring you the biggest, the best, the most colorful, and the time-honored All-American favorites for 2007. Whether you’re hankerin’ for some calming cowboy culture, rousing rodeo action, or anything in between, you’ll find it here in this grand listing of what’s on and what’s happening in the Western world. Time’s a wastin’. So, grab your best boots, shiniest buckle, and biggest hat, and get goin.’
compiled by Kelly Davidson & Laura Lieff
Jan 4-9 Steamboat Springs, CO
THE MUSIC FEST
Don't miss six days, 30 bands, and stunning mountain views. 888- 754-8447; www.themusicfest.com
Jan 12-Feb 4
Fort Worth, TX
FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW AND RODEO
Don't miss the Best of Mexico celebration with bull riding, roping, Folklorico dancing, Mariachi music, and other Mexican traditions. 817-877-2400; www.fwstockshowrodeo.com
Jan 17
Steamboat Springs, CO
BUD LIGHT COWBOY DOWNHILL
Decked in chaps and hats, past and present rodeo champions strap on their skis for this unique event. In a dual slalom race, hundreds of cowboys-roughly 60 PCRA cowboys-race downhill in pairs, navigating several gates. But that's only half the fun. The pairs then lasso a person, saddle a horse, and dash across the finish line. For the grand finale, a downhill stampede pits cowboy against cowboy in a chaotic sprint for first place. 877-783-2628; www.steamboat.com
Jan 26-30
Steamboat Springs, CO
COUNTRY IN THE ROCKIES
Don't miss Deborah Allen, Aaron Barker, and other country stars when they hit the slopes for race clinics, mountain excursions, and a celebrity ski team race. 877-783-2628; www.citr.org
Jan 27- Feb 1
Cuero, TX
OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL RIDE
Don't miss a six-day, 100-mile trail ride to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. 210-391-6378; www.lazyfranch.com
Jan 27-Feb 3
Elko, NV
NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING
Don't miss a celebration of the ranching culture with contemporary and traditional art exhibits, poetry performances, and assorted workshops. 775-738-7508; www.westernfolklife.org
The Mile High City showcases its Western heritage with a 16-day program sure to put the hitch in your giddy-up. From Mexican rodeos and the Martin Luther King, Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo to Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night, the lineup has a little somethin' for everyone. 
303-295-3959; www.nationalwestern.com
Feb 1-18
San Antonio, TX
SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW AND RODEO
Don't miss the 2005 and 2006 PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year. Also, musical acts-Gretchen Wilson, Gary Allan, Big and Rich with Cowboy Troy, The Beach Boys, and The Bellamy Brothers. 210-3916378; www.sarodeo.com
Feb 2-4
Sierra Vista, AZ
COCHISE COWBOY GATHERING
Don't miss more than 50 poets and musicians from 11 states. 520- 515-2821; www.cowboypoets.com
Feb 3-Mar 4
Los Angeles, CA
MASTERS OF THE AMERICAN WEST
The City of Angels embraces its cowboy culture for this annual sale and exhibition at the Autry National Center. Seventy-two artists present a diverse collection of contemporary Western paintings and sculptures-four pieces each including one more reasonably priced miniature for shy buyers. The subject matter runs the Western art gamut from wildlife to Native Americans and historical reflections to landscapes. Last year's show generated more than $3 million in sales. 323-667-2000 x317; www.autrynationalcenter.org
Feb 16-18
Bozeman, MT
WILD WEST WINTERFEST
Don't miss dancing at the Bootleggers Ball or singing at cowboy camp. 406-582-3270; www.gallatin.mt.gov/fairgrounds
Feb 16-18 Kissimmee, FL SILVER SPURS RODEO Don't miss the largest PCRA rodeo east of the Mississippi. 407-677-6336; www.silverspursrodeo.com Feb 16-18 Ellensburg, WA SPIRIT OF THE WEST COWBOY GATHERING Don't miss Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Wylie and The Wild West, Cowboy Celtic, and countless other performers. 509-929-1216; www.acowboygathering.org Feb 16-19 Moab, UT MOAB'S WESTERN STARS Don't miss Michael Martin Murphy, Don Weller, and SaddleStrings. 435- 259-6272; www.moabwesternstars.com Feb 16-25 Scottsdale, AZ SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW Don't miss more than 2,000 horses brought by the world's top owners, trainers, and breeders. 480515-1500; www.scottsdaleshow.com Feb 17-25 Tucson, AZ LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS Don't miss tough roughstock ProRodeo performances. 800-964-5662; www.tucsonrodeo.com
Feb 22-25
Pigeon Forge, TN
SADDLE UP
Don't miss Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, and Rich O'Brien for an evening of Cowboy Symphony entertainment. 866-429-7350; www.mypigeonforge.com
Feb 23-24
Salt Lake City, UT
BULLNANZA
Don't miss dirt, bulls, and cowboys-enough said. 801-988-8888; www.theecenter.com
Feb 24-Aug 4
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