National Day of the Cowboy

[Sue Cauhape]

Just heard that this commemorative day exists. Is anyone on this list involved in events scheduled for July 23, 2011 for National Day of the Cowboy. It's coming up soon, so how does a person put together something on short notice?

[john r. larkin/cowboy johnny]

the annual shootout on whiskey row occurs that weekend and celebrates true western history in prescott,arizona. it is a competition for reenactment groups,historical presentations,and vendors of the period galore, not to mention that all the shops on whiskey row will be open for buisness throughout the event.

[Sue Cauhape]

Hi John, 

Is the shootout done like competitive fast-draw shooting or do you guys actually face each other? My husband, Jeff, competed in his first fast-draw contest a couple of weeks ago in Reno for the State Championship. He's only been shooting for a about a month, but it was fun to go and see the whole spectacle. It was especially fun for me cuz one of the rules is to hug all the ladies. Your event sounds like a major re-enactment of the Wild West. I hope it's well attended. sounds fun.

[J.R. Sanders]

Sue,

Funny you should ask. I've been working with my local Barnes and Noble (Redlands, CA) on a "Wild West" book fair event to coincide with the National Day of the Cowboy on July 23rd. A portion of B&N's sales receipts from the event will go to WWA's Homestead Foundation.

The event will run from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and we're looking to pack quite a bit into four short hours. We'll have about a half dozen authors signing books. Children's authors will do readings and other activities with kids; others may do readings or talks as time permits. Along with the authors, we'll have live cowboy music, historical displays, living historians, the cafe in B&N is doing a theme menu (I think they plan to feature "cowboy chili"), and I'm trying to get the local Sheriff's Mounted Posse to come out (if we can work that out with the shopping center management).

I'll be posting more about this event, and the concept, on the "Western Writers of America" group page,so stay tuned!

[Sue Cauhape]

Wow, J.R., that's a lot of activity to celebrate cowboys. I'll have to cowgirl up and see what I can do. Thanks for the information and I'll look forward to reading about how your event goes -- as with Cowboy Johnny's. Thanks to both of you.