Our Western and agricultural heritage, and a big dose of neighborliness, will be on full display at this year’s Durango Cowboy Gathering, kicking off tonight with an evening with the Bar-D Wranglers.
In its 36th year, the Durango Cowboy Gathering, born the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering, appropriately changed its name two years ago to more fully embrace and communicate all of the events and activities it showcases, over 40 this year.
Participants will still find poetry and music throughout the days and national (and international) performers at night. A new Cowboy Mosey is scheduled all day on Friday, and Horseback Social on Saturday morning.
Not that we need a reason, but for Durangoans who love to dress up, the Mosey is a chance to do so. All types of traditional and more creative dress is encouraged.
In fact, Gathering organizers aspire to the Mosey becoming the October Snowdown where Durango puts its cowboy and cowgirl on!
Saturday morning, the newer and older agricultural community and patrons will be rubbing elbows on Eighth Street at the Durango Farmers Market and Bar D Chuckwagon’s Cowboy Breakfast, respectively. It is a perfect opportunity for market- and Gathering-goers, newer and longer-time residents and visitors, to cross-pollinate.
A friendly smile, genuine curiosity and an extended hand go a long way in fostering the neighborliness this region was built on.
With the blessing of downtown businesses, the city of Durango has extended the proverbial red carpet to the Gathering, both figuratively and literally.
To accommodate the Horseback Social (at 8 a.m.) and Parade (at 10:30 a.m.) Saturday, six blocks of downtown will be fenced, and Second Avenue will be reserved exclusively for pickup truck and trailer parking. A relief to organizers and drivers, and a Durango first.
At Durango City Council’s Sept. 17 meeting, Mayor Jessika Buell recited and delivered a proclamation acknowledging the Gathering’s purpose and the importance of celebrating our rich agricultural heritage, rural culture and history of the American West, in which Durango and most of rural Colorado has played a significant part.
Jack Turner, one of 12 Gathering board members and fifth-generation La Plata County resident, is most excited about the opportunity for people to meet people they’ve never met before.
Because most multigenerational families are land-based and connected to their land, really for many of the same reasons so many more mobile, newer-comers are attracted to the area, the Gathering and all it offers is an opportunity to get to know one another and see what you have in common. We think you will be surprised.
Please do take this opportunity to come out and support the Durango Cowboy Gathering today through Sunday. There really is something for everyone.
As Jenny Johnston said in the “Western Chronicles,” (Herald, Sunday, Sept. 29): “The landscape of the Great American West and Durango itself is much different than it was 100 years ago, while progress is inevitable, history is invaluable.”
The full schedule and more information is available at durangocowboygathering.org.
