By Andrea Downing
Although
we only have one week to go ’til the Big Day, I thought I’d have a look around
at some Cowboy Christmas events yet to take place. If you’re like me, you probably leave a lot of preparations until the last minute anyway, so if any of these are within your driving
distance, or you’re looking for a short break, maybe one of these will get you
in the spirit.
Over
in Bandera, Texas, purported Cowboy Capital of the World, celebrations started
on Dec. 7th but the best is yet
to come. On Dec. 21, there is ‘Singing in the Saddle’ with a caroling parade
around Bandera. And on the 28th, Cowboys on Main has performances
with music, chuck wagons, ropers, and wagon rides.
Over
in Prescott, AZ, which claims to have the oldest professional rodeo in the
world (July 4, 1888) celebrations are well under way but the Annual Gingerbread
Village display can still be seen at the conference center and proceeds benefit
the Hungry Kids Project. But for a real cowboy New Year’s Eve, watch the Whiskey
Row Boot Drop—and I needn’t tell you what kind of a boot it is!
Elko,
NV, is known as a cowboy’s paradise and is also home to the grand-daddy of
cowboy poetry festivals, The National Cowboy Gathering, coming up in late
Jan. As for Christmas, we’ve missed the
cattle-woman’s tour of festive homes but there’ll be a huge party at the
Northeastern Nevada Museum on the 19th. It includes gaming tables and raffles and
auctions—sounds like a lot of fun!
Deadwood,
SD, needs no introduction as a cowboy hangout, or perhaps I should say an
outlaw’s hangout. As I write, the Black Hills Cowboy Christmas is taking place
but there’re still plenty of events to come. For last minute shoppers, there’s
the Christmas Shoppers’ Village over at the High Plains Western Heritage
Center.
Finally,
my adopted hometown of Jackson, WY, may not have festivities particularly
associated with cowboys, but the horse-drawn sleigh rides through the Elk
Refuge will certainly make up for it—and there are plenty of Stetson-wearing
punchers around town. The town square is
beautifully lit and Santa makes regular visits, and the Wort Hotel has twelve
days of varied events—everything from gingerbread baking lessons to a brunch
with Santa. After that, you can count down to New Year’s Eve and party at the
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where the barstools are saddles, the drinks bring
good cheer, and the music will keep your toes tapping right into 2020.
Very
Best Wishes for Christmas and the most Joyous, Successful, and Healthy 2020
Photo of Prescott Boot Drop, City of Prescott Office of Tourism.
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, author's own
cartoons clip-art or public domain
2 comments:
How fun! Cowboy poetry and gingerbread village. Jackson Hole sounds like a great place to spend the holidays. I can see myself going on a sleigh ride through the natural beauty and then settling down on a saddle to enjoy a hot toddy. Happy Holidays, Andrea!
Thanks Patti. It did seem most of the big events were earlier in the month but I’ll settle for that sleigh ride and drink!
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