For 28 years, the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering has preserved the culture and stories of the American cowboy and ranching in southwest Colorado. Scheduled for Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, in tandem with Durango’s prime fall foliage season, the Gathering brings more than 40 cowboy poets, storytellers and musicians together to celebrate this rich tradition.
“People attending Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering get the experience of what Durango might have looked like in the 1880s with horses, wagons and cowboys walking the streets,” says Linda Mannix, coordinator of the event. “The gathering is the second oldest event of its kind, only a few years behind the granddaddy in Elko, Nevada, and one of only two events in Colorado that focuses exclusively on cowboy poetry, storytelling and music.”
The celebration is held in Durango’s bustling downtown district and headquartered at the historic Strater Hotel, where evening performances are staged at the Henry Strater Theater. Known around the world, Wylie and The Wild West kick off the gathering with two evening performances featuring a blend of cowboy, swing, folk and yodeling on Sept. 29, along with the “Mystery of El Dorado” Cowboy Theatre at Durango Arts Center. Evening performances on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 feature several top cowboy poets and musicians from around the country.
Some of the other activities taking place during the four-day event include the Cowboy Poet Train on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Cowboy Poet Trail Ride at Rapp Corral, Cowboy Parade on Main Avenue, and shows of Western art at Mesténo Gallery, Sorrel Sky Gallery and Toh-Atin Gallery.
More than 40 riders go out on the Cowboy Poet Trail Ride at Rapp Corral on Friday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. Performers Mary Kaye and Randy Rieman entertain during a lunch stop around a campfire. Participants can rent a horse or bring their own. Also on Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., the Cowboy Poet Train features performers on every coach and a barbecue lunch at Cascade Canyon.
One of the highlights of the Gathering is the large motorless Cowboy Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The parade features horses, riders, wagons, walkers, and even llamas and Longhorns, but no motorized vehicles. New this year, Animas Museum is hosting a genuine Cowboy Chuck Wagon Breakfast on Saturday morning 6 a.m. until 11 a.m., at the corner of 5th Street and Main Avenue. Scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy and plenty of black coffee are on the menu. From 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., free themed sessions of cowboy poetry and music are being held at Strater Hotel. Open sessions invite anyone to jump in and perform his or her own cowboy poetry.
Two other new events for Saturday are the Cowboy Comedy Revue from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. featuring 15 performers doing their take on the humor of ranch life, and a new Storytelling Session. Later, the Poster Session at Toh Atin Gallery starts at 4:30 p.m. Cowboy poets and musicians will perform their interpretation of this year's fine art poster "The Cowpuncher" by Glenn Dean, followed by a print signing and free artist’s reception from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Gallery.
Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering wraps up at the Strater Hotel with a free session called “A Cowboy and His Creator” on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. featuring inspirational poetry and music by many of the weekend’s performers. This is followed by a brunch at the hotel’s Diamond Belle Saloon.