It’s fitting that this year’s Durango Cowboy Gathering – the 37th – coincides with “leave your fossil-fueled ride at home” week without driving (Herald, Oct. 1). Few can trade their car for a horse, even for a day, but everyone can enjoy the “clop clop” of hooves on Saturday.
Festivities begin Wednesday, Oct. 1, with concerts by Trinity Seeley and Jon Chandler on back-to-back nights. On Friday, free music by Dave Stamey and Kye Rieff fills the Diamond Belle, along with trail rides, live poetry and music downtown (including an open mic), a cowboy music and poetry train, and cowboy comedy by R.P. and B.J. Smith.
Saturday, Oct. 6, brings the highlight: the Cowboy Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Main Avenue from 5th Street to 12th. Expect horses, mules, burros, and riders dressed in boots, jeans, ribbons, showgirl dresses and 10-gallon hats.
The day starts with a $15 chuck wagon breakfast (8–10:30 a.m. at Main and 8th). After the parade, downtown stays lively with cowboy socializing, horseback rides for kids, a petting corral and a quick-draw gunfight in front of the parade’s judging stand. Expanded Saturday activities are designed to keep paradegoers downtown into the afternoon.
Storytelling in song and poetry rounds out the multiday gathering at the Diamond Belle, Doubletree Hotel, Wildhorse Saloon, on the street, and other local venues.
The parade, music and camaraderie have always been worthwhile – and this year should be no different. Take them in. Visit DurangoCowboyGathering.org for details.
