You have got to come to the Cowboy Capital of the World. Well known as a small Texas town with real Texas flare, Bandera’s history runs deep. Each year Bandera remembers its roots at the annual Labor Day weekend Event, Celebrate Bandera. Their claim to fame began in the late 1800’s. Bandera became the gathering place for over 10,000,000 head of Longhorn steers that where gathered from around the state to send up the now famous Western Trail to Oglala, Nebraska and railheads north. Larry McMurtry wrote about that trail in his book Lonesome Dove. Yeah that’s right, Bandera is about that trail. Around mid-morning, folks will be gathering in town to get a good spot to view the morning events. First off, about 9:30 am you can grab a breakfast taco at Lowe’s Market parking lot where the excitement begins building at Cow Patty Bingo. Great Prizes and cash to boot all determined by the proper drop of a cow patty! Then hurry an fide a spot cause at 11am folks will be clamoring to see the Longhorn Cattle Drive right down the Main Street followed by an awesome parade with wagons, Native American Indians, horses, and all those that love the western heritage Bandera champions so well. Bandera will be transformed into a magical time machine. Check out the arts and crafts on the Court House lawn right after the parade. Visit Rattle Snake Ridge for shoot out performances by the famous Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters. What else will you find at Celebrate Bandera? Everything having to do with Cowboys and Indians! At City Park on Friday night, September 4th, 5th & 6th, Celebrate Bandera proudly presents the Circle of Life Inter-tribal Powwow which includes Native American dancers from all over the U.S. Gates open Friday evening and admission is just $5! Children under 12 are free. The Powwow goes through Sunday so you can catch it anytime during the weekend. Featured events include dance competitions; exhibition performances by an internationally known Hoop Dancer, Lyndon Alec; and special Hand and Drum and flute demonstrations. Native American artisans will be selling their wares and Indian fry bread will be abundant! At the Powwow you can visit the camps of Mountain Men, and the 1800 Pioneer Camps. Powwows have always been an integral part of Native American history. The Circle of Life Powwow is a place to enjoy the company of old friends and meet new ones. Be sure to bring the kids back on Saturday and Sunday because there will be more to do at City Park on the River. Don’t miss a chance to participate in the Hoof n Foot Horseless Ranch Rodeo. This is fun for the whole family and includes cowboy skills and creative team work to boot. You might even get to dress a goat! There will goat ropin, chicken ropin, storytelling, music the kids can participate in, well you get the picture, there is plenty for them to do. On Saturday night, head out to Mansfield Park and be prepared for some really fast action by the Cowboy Capital Mounted Shooters as they ride in a high-speed horse Shoot Out! Gates open at 6:30 pm and admission includes not only the Shoot Out but World Champion Trick Roper, Kevin Fitzpatrick followed by THE HOTTEST 8 SECONDS OF THE YEAR at the National Professional Bull Rider’s Challenge. Wow, action packed! Late Saturday evening you can take in great country swing in the “Kings of Western Swing” Concert. Sunday morning eat your Wheaties because we start all over again! First we gather at the Medina River in City Park for a Cowboy Breakfast offered up by the Western Heritage Cowboy Church, followed by some great preaching and cowboy gospel music. There will also be gospel music at the Courthouse, as well as the Arts and Craft Show and a lot more of the Bandera Cattle Company. And don’t forget to go back to the Circle of Life Powwow and the finals of the National Professional Bull Rider’s Challenge with the added South Texas Bull Fighting Tour at intermission. Celebrate Bandera is all about Cowboys and Indians – come live it with us. For event schedules and ticket information, go to www.celebratebandera.com, or call 830-796-4447. Yee-Haw, Ya’ll