1–4
Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Durango, Colo.
970-749-2995, website
Since 1989, this gathering has occurred in effort to recognize and honor the traditions of the working ranch people of the American West. By bringing together poets and musicians for daytime and evening performances, as well as film viewings and a Cowboy Poet Trailride, visitors to the gathering will find themselves planted among the voices of the West—literally.
5–7
James D. Julia’s Firearms Auction
Fairfield, Maine
800-565-9298, website
New auction Oct. 5—Sporting and Collector Firearms
With, Extraordinary Auction of Rare and Historic Firearms, Oct. 6–7
9–10
Cowboy Crossings
Oklahoma City, Okla.
405-478-2250, website
This year’s Crossings will mark the 50th anniversary of the Cowboy Artists of America Annual Sale and the 17th Annual Exhibition and Sale of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. Social gatherings are held at the museum and throughout the city in conjunction with the event, which showcases functional and fine Western art.
9–11
Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium
Ruidoso, N.M.
575-378-7282, website
It’s hard to find a place more welcoming of a cowboy gathering than in Ruidoso. Tap into andpreserve theWest with highly acclaimed poets and musicians, as well as horsemanship demonstrations and a chuck wagon cook-off.
Lone Pine Film Festival
Lone Pine, Calif.
760-876-9909, website
Held in the place where hundreds of Western films and TV episodes were filmed, this festival pays tribute to the unique Eastern Sierra landscape, as well as to the notable actors and actresses that brought it notoriety. Events include horseback rides through the Alabama Hills, tours of the filming sites, a rodeo and parade, film screenings, a Wild West show, and more.
10–11
Industry Hills Charity Pro Rodeo
City of Industry, Calif.
626-961-6892, website
Now in its 30th year, this PRCA-sanctioned rodeo starts out with a Community Kids Day in which local school kids get to watch the rodeo with their teachers as part of a lesson plan on Western American history. Over the years, the rodeo has been able to donate more than $2 million to special needs children in the greater San Gabriel Valley. Nothing like catching a good rodeo and helping out the community!
21–25
Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough World Finals
Las Vegas, Nev.
719-242-2800, website
For five consecutive days of the world’s richest bull riding event in the history of Western sports, the world’s 35 elite bull riders will compete atop the meanest bulls in the West. The champion rider will take home a $1 million bonus of the $2.2 million total purse. Competition will be fierce, to say the least.
Editor’s Pick: “There’s no question that the world’s best bull riders and toughest bulls are in Las Vegas in October. If you’re a bull riding fan, you’ve got to make the trip. You’re going to see wrecks and record rides, plus enjoy a major metropolitan city being aken over by the hat and boots crowd.” —Bob Welch
22–25
Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium
Cartersville, Ga.
770-387-1300, website
If the West is hard to get to geographically, no worries—the Booth Museum brings the West to the East with this symposium. Events include artist and writer seminars, country and bluegrass performances, as well as Native American dancing and Old West shows.
23–25
Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival
Fort Worth, Texas
866-269-8696, website
If you’ve ever considered making the trip to Fort Worth for this event, this is the year to do it. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this gathering promises premier entertainment in the form of poetry, wagon train and trail rides, ranch rodeos and cutting horse action, western swing dancing, and so much more.
28–Nov. 1
Heber Valley Western Music and Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Heber City, Utah
435-654-3666, website
A premier event in Utah that was the brainchild of three working cowboys 20 years ago, visitors can now expect nine stages of Western entertainment in the form of poets, musicians, and singers. Cowboy Mounted Shooting and the National Cattledog Association Trials have joined the lineup in the last years.