Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering held its eighth annual Outdoor Concert and Barn Dance on Sunday at the River Bend Ranch. The barn dance welcomed around 225 people for three hours of dancing, eating and live music.
The event featured a silent auction with artwork and items donated from local businesses. Performing the outdoor concert was the Tim Sullivan Band, which has become a staple at these events over the last couple of years.
Sullivan’s stepson, Alec Bell, also performed with members of his band, Majik Ham.
“It is just another way for people to get out on a weekend to have some fun and get their cowboy on,” said Pam Jacobs, Cowboy Poetry Gathering event coordinator. “We have great music from Tim. It is a great way to unwind and help support our cause.”
This is the main fundraiser for the group that uses the money to support various youth programs as well as its fall parade. The youth programs involved are Poetry in Schools, National FFA Organization, 4-H Horse Council and Basin Rodeo Club.
The money helps support the groups so they may enter competitions, go to summer camps and attend leadership conferences. The FFA involves teaching students traits needed in the agricultural industry, including public speaking, marketing and finance skills, and traditional agricultural practices.
For the Poetry in Schools program, the group visits local schools to share poetry and songs to promote Western culture and lifestyle.
“Cowboy poets and musicians go to all the schools in the area and put on an assembly to talk about Western heritage and why it’s important to remember Durango’s roots,” Jacobs said. “You got to keep young people involved or we won’t be able to keep the gatherings going.”
Jacobs said the average yearly amount raised for the event is about $4,000. She finds the event to be a special part of Durango’s culture and Western heritage.
“Durango is often thought of as a great town to visit if you want to experience the Old West and we want to keep it that way,” she said. “We try to maintain that as best as we can and educate our young people about the ranching and agricultural history of our area.”
The event involved other local businesses such as Lone Spur Cafe, Cuevas Tacos and Cream Bean Berry Ice Cream, all of which provided food.
While the summer event has become popular over the years, Jacobs emphasizes the celebration of the parade in the fall which embodies the culture the group wants to share with the Durango community.
The fall event will consist of more than 40 performers and features performances from Dave Stamey and Joni Harms, who is a member of the Western Music Hall of Fame. The event is a four-day celebration from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.
“Our purpose is to promote and maintain Durango’s Western heritage and culture because so many things have changed in Durango over the years,” Jacobs said.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
