May 2013 Events

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

ADVENTURES

GREAT AMERICAN HORSE DRIVE
Craig, CO, May 1-6: 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

WOOLAROC SPRING TRAIL DRIVE
Bartlesville, OK, May 4: 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

ANIMAL ADOPTIONS

WILD HORSE AND BURRO ADOPTIONS
Kanab, UT, May 3-4: Wild horses and burros from Western states are offered up for adoption to folks who will provide long-term care.
801-539-4057 • BLM.gov

MILES CITY BUCKING HORSE SALE
Miles City, MT, May 16-19: Watch rodeo action originating from southeastern Montana, along with bucking horse sales and street dances.
406-234-2890 • BuckingHorseSale.com

JACKSON HOLE ELK FEST
Jackson Hole, WY, May 18-19: Bid on the harvested antlers of migrating elk to help Boy Scouts raise funds for improvement projects.
307-733-5935 • ElkFest.org

ART SHOWS

RETURN TO THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY
Grand Island, NE, Starts May 11: The Stuhr Museum celebrates the 100-year history of the Lincoln Highway with photos, artifacts and more.
308-385-5316 • StuhrMuseum.org

RITZVILLE WESTERN ART SHOW
Ritzville, WA, May 24-26: Artwork by sculptors Ron Adamson and Gabe Gabel, painter Marti Bennett, photographer Richard Bennett and more.
509-660-0654 • RitzvilleWesternArt.com

TRAIL OF TEARS ART SHOW & SALE
Park Hill, OK, Closes May 27: Features authentic American Indian art and competitions in several categories at one of Oklahoma’s oldest art shows.
888-999-6007 • CherokeeHeritage.org

CHUCKWAGON SUPPER

BAR D CHUCKWAGON SUPPERS
Durango, CO, Starts May 25: Enjoy the sounds of the famous Bar D Wranglers stage show while enjoying a chuckwagon supper amongst the pines.
970-247-5753 • BarDChuckwagon.com

FILM FESTIVAL

BLACK HILLS FILM FESTIVAL
Hill City, South Dakota, May 1-5: Showcases independent films, including The Buffalo King, sharing the story of a frontier cattleman’s success in saving the buffalo from extinction.
605-574-9454 • BlackHillsFilmFestival.org

HERITAGE FESTIVALS

PENDLETON CATTLE BARONS WEEKEND
Pendleton, OR, May 9-11: The legacy of the region’s cattlemen and ranchers are honored with bronc riding and a cowboy collectibles auction.
541-377-6834 • CattleBarons.net

FORT CHADBOURNE DAYS
Bronte, TX, May 4: Historians bring 1852 Fort Chadbourne back to life with re-enactments and artillery and cavalry drills, plus folks can enjoy hay rides around the fort.
325-743-2555 • FortChadbourne.org

FRONTIER FORTS DAYS
Fort Worth, TX, May 10-11: The Texas frontier comes to life with fort camps, military parades, American Indian exhibitions and more.
817-625-9715 • StockyardsStation.com

TEMECULA WESTERN DAYS
Temecula, CA, May 18-19: Watch the Temecula Gunfighters and other re-enactors perform shoot-outs and skits as you enjoy live Western music.
951-694-6444 • CityOfTemecula.org

WILD WILD WEST FESTIVAL
Pueblo, CO, May 17-19: Live music, an International Chili Society-sanctioned cook-off, street vendors and carnival rides.
800-233-3446 • Colorado.com/Events

DEPOT DAYS
Cheyenne, WY, May 18-19: Train lovers can enjoy a live miniature steam train, a rail art show and sale, model displays and a steam shop.
307-632-3905 • CheyenneDepotMuseum.org

ROUTE 66 FESTIVAL
Clinton, OK, May 24-25: 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 25-26: Sample chuckwagon fare and Western music, plus hands-on educational activities for the kids.
405-478-2250 • NationalCowboyMuseum.org

WYATT EARP DAYS
Tombstone, AZ, May 25-27: Gunfights, hangings and skits re-enacted in the streets of Tombstone, a chili cook-off and an 1880s fashion show.
520-457-3511 • TombstoneChamber.com

ROUTE 66 DAYS
Elk City, OK, May 30- June 2: This 1901 town along the Great Western Trail celebrates its heritage with a classic car show and races.
580-225-0207 • VisitElkCity.com

HORSE SHOW

SONOITA QUARTER HORSE SHOW
Sonoita, AZ, May 9-12: The world’s longest-running AQHA show features a variety of events and competitions for all skill levels.
714-444-2918 • AZQHA.org

MOVIE TRIBUTE

JOHN WAYNE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Winterset, IA, May 24-25: Benefit dinnerat John Wayne Birthplace Museum features a tribute to Duke’s friend and fellow actor Maureen O’Hara.
515-462-1044 • JohnWayneBirthplace.org

MUSIC FESTIVALS

DURANGO BLUES TRAIN
Durango, CO, May 31- June 1: Ride the rails of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with live Blues bands performing each night.
970-247-2733 • DurangoTrain.com

RAMONA BLUEGRASS & OLD WEST FEST
Ramona, CA, May 4-5: Hot Club of Cowtown, Head for the Hills and more Bluegrass performers, plus a historical re-enactment encampment.
760-789-6173 • RamonaBluegrassFest.com

MONUMENTAL FIDDLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Beatrice, NE, May 25: Fiddling workshops and competitions will reveal the winner of the NEASTA Fiddle Tune Composition Contest.
402-223-3514 • NEASTA.org

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

THE UNQUIET UTES
Casper, WY, Closes May 21: The Fort Caspar Museum exhibits 30 photos of a 1906 gathering of Utes, U.S. Cavalry members and more.
307-235-8462 • CasperWY.gov

POWWOW

INDIAN MARKET AND POWWOW
Morrison, CO, May 18-19: Enjoy multi-region powwows and an authentic native market inspired by Old Bent’s Fort’s tribal history.
303-839-1671 • TesoroCulturalCenter.org

RENDEZVOUS

JACKSON HOLE OLD WEST DAYS
Jackson Hole, WY, May 24-27: 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 3-5: Professional cowboys compete in bull riding, calf and team roping, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding.
580-252-2900 • TravelOK.com

ELKS HELLDORADO DAYS
Las Vegas, NV, May 16-19: In addition to the rodeo, events for young and old alike include mutton bustin’, a parade and a carnival.
702-870-1221 • ElksHelldorado.com

RAM PRCA PRO RODEO
Bandera, TX, May 24-26: The rodeo includes PRCA-sanctioned bareback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping and bull riding.
830-796-7207 • BanderaRodeo.com

TRADE SHOWS

COLORADO GUN COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION
Denver, CO, May 18-19: The show offers more than 1,000 tables of antique and modern collectible firearms and cowboy artifacts.
720-482-0167 • CGCA.com

TEXAS TOY SOLDIER SHOW
San Antonio, TX, May 25-26: At the 1859 Menger Hotel, you can admire the latest toy soldier collectibles made around the world.
210-226-7000 • KingsX.com