May 2012 Events

A Western roundup of events where you can experience the Old West.

New Mexico History Museum
Centennial Exhibits
Santa Fe, NM: Learn about the first
crime committed by citizens of the newly established state while viewing “47 Stars,” one of numerous centennial exhibits offered at the New Mexico History Museum. Shown here is a 1912 parade float, passing through Santa Fe, decked out with American flags featuring the newly-added New Mexico star.
505-476-5200 • NMHistoryMuseum.org

– Courtesy Palace of the Governors Photo Archives 118354 –

ADVENTURES

Durango, CO, August 16-19: Meet Bob Boze Bell, attend history presentations and cultural events, and enjoy special railroad excursions where Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid was filmed.
888-872-4607 • DurangoTrain.com

Great American Horse Drive Craig, CO, May 2-7: Ride on a thrilling and authentic trail drive that moves a large horse herd across 62 miles of open Colorado range.
970-586-4577 • Sombrero.com

Great Western Trail Celebration Vernon, TX, May 4-5: Honors local history of cattle drovers with horseback rides and local tours of the 1874-86 Great Western Trail.
940-553-1848 • RedRiverValleyMuseum.com

Cattle Drive of the Century Lea County, NM, May 9-12: In celebration of the state’s centennial, 100 branded longhorn cattle will be driven 60 miles to a livestock auction. 
575-492-2678 • MuseumsHobbsNM.org

Woolaroc Spring Trail Drive Bartlesville, OK, May 12: On this 15-mile trail ride along a former oilman’s retreat, you’ll likely see buffalo, elk, deer and longhorn cattle.
888-966-5276 • Woolaroc.org

Centennial Pony Express Ride Hobbs, NM, May 26: Riders carry mail for one to two miles to have authentic experience of the Pony Express days from the Old West.
575-631-9372 • MuseumsHobbsNM.org

ANIMAL ADOPTION

Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Miles City, MT, May 17-20: Watch rodeo action originating from southeastern Montana, along with bucking horse sales and street dances.
406-234-2890 • BuckingHorseSale.com

ANNIVERSARY

Korczak Day Crazy Horse, SD, May 3: A big blast on Crazy Horse Memorial mountain carving heralds the 65th anniversary of the sculptor’s 1947 arrival.
605-673-4681 • CrazyHorseMemorial.com

Wild Horse & Burro Adoptions Riverton, WY, May 18-19: Wild horses and burros from Western states are offered up for adoption to folks who will provide long-term care.
866-468-7826 • BLM.gov

ART SHOWS & AUCTIONS

Romance Maker Fort Worth, TX, Closes May 13: Shares Old West cowboys and American Indians as depicted in more than 100 watercolors by Charlie Russell.Shown here is Russell’s 1900 watercolor, Last Chance or Bust, from the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. 817-738-1933 • CarterMuseum.org

Sharlot Hall Western Art Fundraiser Prescott, AZ, May 12: Bid on Western art by Marless Fellows, Bill Nebeker, Bob Scheelings and others to support the Sharlot Hall Museum.
928-445-3122 • Sharlot.org

Clymer Art Exhibit & Auction Ellensburg, WA, May 18-19: Bid on the works of 50 select artists at this auction that honors Western wildlife artist John Ford Clymer.
509-962-6416 • ClymerMuseum.org

Ritzville Western Art Show Ritzville, WA, May 25-27: Artworks by sculptor John Geis, photographer Douglas MacArthur, painter Jerre NightHawk Raven and more.
509-660-0654 • RitzvilleWesternArt.com

Southwest Indian Arts Festival Prescott, AZ, May 26-27: Watch Indian artists demonstrate their art, plus hoop dances by 
World Champion Tony Duncan and others.
928-445-1230 • SmokiMuseum.org

Phippen Museum Western 
Art Show & Sale Prescott, AZ, May 26-28: Outdoor art show and sale honors former cowboy artist George Phippen with today’s paintings, drawings and sculptures.
928-778-1385 • PhippenArtMuseum.org

AUCTION

Jackson Hole Elk Fest Jackson Hole, WY, May 19-20: Bid on the harvested antlers of migrating elk to help Boy Scouts raise funds for improvement PROJECTS.
307-733-5935 • ElkFest.org

COMPETITIONS

Grand National Competition 
Of The Old West Jean, NV, May 1-2: Step back into the Old West with a gunfight skit contest, fast draw competitions and period encampments.
800-634-1359 • GoldStrikeJean.com

Bishop Mule Days Celebration Bishop, CA, May 22-27: Start off packing season by watching mule trainers, riders and packers compete on about 700 mules in 181 shows.
760-872-4263 • MuleDays.org

FRONTIER FARE

Culinaria San Antonio, TX, May 16-20: Food festival showcases the Alamo City’s finest restaurants and well-known chefs, as well as celebrity guests from all over Texas and the world.
210-822-9555 • CulinariaSA.org

HERITAGE FESTIVALS

Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend Pendleton, OR, May 11-13: Team branding and saddle bronc championships, plus Juni Fisher concert, cowgirl art and bit, spur and buckle show.
509-386-4347 • CattleBarons.net

Las Vegas Helldorado Days Las Vegas, NV, May 17-20: Go on the trail ride, watch a pro rodeo, bid on Western art and 
grow your beard to win top whiskerino.
702-870-1221 • ElksHelldorado.com

ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL Clinton, OK, May 25-26: This 1899 town celebrates its Route 66 heritage with a car show, poker run, battle of the bands and more.
580-323-2222 • ClintonRoute66Festival.com

Chuckwagon Gathering 
& Children’s Cowboy Festival Oklahoma City, OK, May 26-27: Sample chuck wagon fare and Western music, plus hands-on educational activities for the kids. 405-478-2250 • NationalCowboyMuseum.org

Route 66 Days Elk City, OK, May 31: This 1901 town along the Great Western Trail celebrates its transportation heritage with a classic car show and car races.
800-280-0207 • VisitElkCity.com

Romance Maker: Fort Worth, TX, Closes May 13: Shares Old West cowboys and American Indians as depicted in more than 100 watercolors by Charlie Russell. Shown here is Russell’s 1900 watercolor, Last Chance or Bust, from the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. 817-738-1933 • CarterMuseum.org

HISTORIC FORT DAYS

Texas Frontier Forts Days Fort Worth, TX, May 11-12: Experience and learn about frontier life by exploring historic forts, watching military parades and demos.
817-625-9715 • FortWorthStockyards.org

Armed Forces Day Celebration Lawton, OK, May 19: Home of 1869 fort offers up the nation’s largest Armed Forces Day parade, with more than 100 entries.
580-355-3541 • LawtonFortSillChamber.com

MOVIE TRIBUTES

Tombstone’s Texas Frightmare Dallas, TX, May 4-6: The biggest Tombstone actor reunion, with appearances by Buck Taylor, Michael Biehn, Joanna Pacula and more.
512-389-0315 • TexasFrightmareWeekend.com

John Wayne Birthday Celebration Winterset, IA, May 25-26: See John Ford’s film, The Quiet Man, and the new making-of documentary, Dreaming “The Quiet Man.”
877-462-1044 • JohnWayneBirthplace.org

POWWOW

Indian Market & Powwow Morrison, CO, May 19-20: Enjoy multi-region powwows and an authentic native market inspired by Old Bent’s Fort tribal history. 
303-839-1671 • TesoroCulturalCenter.org

RE-ENACTMENT

Wyatt Earp Days Tombstone, AZ, May 26-28: Lions Club fundraiser honors the frontier lawman with a chili cook-off and a gunfight re-enactment.
520-457-3511 • TombstoneChamber.com

RENDEZVOUS

Jackson Hole Old West Days Jackson Hole, WY, May 25-28: Celebrates area’s rich mountain man heritage with rendezvous and pre-1840 traders row.
307-733-3316 • JacksonHoleChamber.com

RODEOS

Chisholm Trail Stampede Prca Rodeo Duncan, OK, May 4-5: Professional cowboys compete in bull riding, calf and team roping, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding.
580-467-2329 • DuncanChamber.com

Wild Wild West Festival Pueblo, CO, May 18-20: Cheer on Professional bull riders, plus enjoy ShenaniGuns! comedy show and trick roping by Rider Kiesner.
719-542-1704 • WildWildWestFestival.com

TRADE SHOWS

Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show Sheridan, WY, May 18-20: Leather trade show offers workshops in tooling, rawhide braiding, chap and boot making, and more.
888-289-6409 • LeatherCraftersJournal.com

Colorado Gun Collectors Assn. Gun show Denver, CO, May 19-20: More than 1,500 tables of collectible firearms at show held in conjunction with the NRA collectors show.
720-482-0167 • CGCA.com

Texas Toy Soldier Show San Antonio, TX, May 26-27: At the 1859 Menger Hotel, you can admire the latest toy soldier collectibles made around the world. 
210-226-7000 • KingsX.com

VAQUERO FIESTAS

Fiesta Of The Spanish Horse Burbank, CA, May 5: Watch high-stepping horses and folklorico dancers at vaquero culture fiesta raising funds for cancer research.
818-842-8444 • FiestaSpanishHorse.org

The Californios Contest Reno, NV, May 11-13: Vaquero ranch roping and stock horse competitions, plus workshops, a trade show and a buckaroo ball. 
530-896-9566 • TheCalifornios.com

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