July 22-23
Yea-Haw! Bandera, Texas, the Cowboy Capital of the World is celebrating the National Day of the American Cowboy July 22-23, and invites you to join them. Bandera celebrates and pays homage to the cowboy and cowboy heritage 365 days a year. On weekend of the National Day of the Cowboy several special events are planned to further cement and highlight that heritage.
Begin the weekend on Friday evening at the historic Frontier Times Museum’s induction of two artists that are well known and respected for capturing the essence of the cowboy into the Texas Hall of Heroes. Their works are highly visible and photographed landmarks in Bandera. Being honored posthumously is Norma Jean Anderwald. Her bronze sculpture, “Monument to the Cowboy Champions of Bandera County” stands on the lawn of the Bandera County courthouse. Bill Stevens’ most recent works, Kelly’s Coffee and Crossing the Medina, are large murals depicting the days of the trail drives. After the dedication go to Mansfield Park for the final performance of the Cross P’s Buckle and Saddle Rodeo series. You can whoop, holler and cheer on your favorite bull rider, roper, or barrel racer. Finish the evening dancing under the stars at Mansfield Park gazebo or come back in town and dance the night at one of Bandera’s famous honky tonks.
Saturday morning at 11:00 AM you won’t want to miss the dedication of Bill Steven’s mural, Crossing the Medina, depicting a herd of Texas longhorn cows crossing the Medina River. The mural will adorn the side of the Bandera Fire Station and provide a visual backdrop for the Heritage Trail Park and its historical markers. Take a minute and read all three. The markers serve as story boards as to Bandera’s distinction as to the Cowboy Capital of the World, being designated as the trail head of the Great Western Cattle Trail and as the International Headquarters for Trick and Fancy Roping.
At High Noon and 2:00 PM the Bandera Cattle Company performs historical re-enactment gunfights at the Bandera Visitors Center. You’ll learn a little history about the by-gone era of Bandera and be entertained as well. Make sure you bring the kids. At the end of every show the kids are deputized. In addition to the gunfights, the streets of Bandera will be filled with cowboy characters and displays as part of Cowboys on Main from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You can see a chuck wagon, strolling cowboy singers, saddle-broke Texas Longhorns, and even be able to take a wagon ride. After all the afternoon fun treat the family to the Flying L’s chuck wagon supper featuring a BBQ with all the fixin’s, entertainment archery, and more. Serving begins at 5:30 pm.
Closing out the day is the AFCC Ranch Rodeo Qualifier at Mansfield Park presented by Ridin’ the River Cowboy Fellowship. This is not your normal rodeo. A ranch rodeo is comprised of teams competing against each other in activities still used on the ranch by cowboys such as sorting, doctoring, branding, mugging and stray gathering. The winning teams become eligible to possibly compete at the American Federation of Cowboy Church’s finals. Come early and enjoy the Ridin’ the Cowboy Fellowship’s band from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. The rodeo gets underway at 7:30 pm.
To truly immerse yourself into the cowboy lifestyle check into one of Bandera’s area dude or guest ranches.
You can visit www.nderacowboy capital.com for further information.
