Where: Forth Worth, Texas
What: The Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Festival
Red Steagall’s Cowboy Gathering
The cowboy world’s greatest living storyteller, Red Steagall, annually gathers the greatest collection of cowboy and Western-themed entertainment to historic Fort Worth Stockyards for his eponymous Cowboy Gathering. Headlined by Steagall, the event features a dozen musicians and poets, who regale audiences with clever, poignant performances. In the Cowtown Coliseum, a ranch rodeo, stock-dog trial, and team roping make for non-stop horse action.
The Facts: 1908 | Year the Cowtown Coliseum was built. It was the nation’s first indoor coliseum and in its 110-year history has played host to everyone from Quanah Parker to George Strait.
Now in its 28th year, Red Steagall’s Cowboy Gathering is all about celebrating the myriad aspects of cowboy culture. Starting with a heritage trail ride, the event kicks off with a Longhorn trail drive right through the heart of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Once there, the Cowtown Coliseum plays host to a ranch rodeo, stock-dog contest, and invitational team roping.
On the lawn of the Livestock Exchange building an expansive chuckwagon camp is on display, and on the Mule Alley stage, cowboy musicians and poets perform all weekend. The event also features an auctioneer contest and youth fiddle and poetry contests. Topping it all off on Sunday morning is cowboy church.
Don’t Miss This
explore.
1. The Forth Worth Stockyards is a National Historic District, and the Western shopping there is unparalleled. From
2. Cavender’s to 3. M.L. Leddy’s to a host of antique, boutique, and music shops, you can find everything a real cowboy needs for his horse and house within a few blocks.
eat.
4. Joe T. Garcia’s has been a Northside Fort Worth staple since 1935. Authentic, time-tested Tex-Mex is on the menu with a gorgeous patio and friendly staff. At 5. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que you walk in, pick your meat(s) straight off the pit, and get sides cafeteria-style—the way BBQ was meant to be.
do.
Fort Worth is bursting with cowboy culture, but add a little more refinement to the experience with a trip to the 6. Amon Carter Museum of American Art for one of the best collections of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell paintings and sculptures.
Star Power
During the Gathering, the 2018 inductees into the Texas Trail of Fame will be announced. Honorees’ names are inlaid on bronze stars and placed on the sidewalks of the National Historic District. Past recipients span from Charles Goodnight to John Wayne.
For more information visit redsteagallcowboygathering.com.
