National Cowboy Poetry Gathering facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Cowboy Poetry Gathering |
|
|---|---|
| Date(s) | 1985 |
| Location(s) | Nevada |
| Country | United States |
| Founder | Sarah Sweetwater and her friends started the Folklife Festival in the Elko park in the 1970s. She wanted to keep cowboy culture alive by recording cowboy poets and when the event began to grow, she hired Hal Cannon to help with the business and marketing. |
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is an exciting yearly event. It celebrates cowboy poetry and the culture of the American West. This special gathering takes place in Elko, Nevada, in the United States. It is organized by the Western Folklife Center.
Contents
Discovering Cowboy Poetry
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a unique festival. It brings together poets, musicians, and storytellers. They share tales and songs about life as a cowboy. These stories often cover hard work, funny moments, and even sad times. They show what it's like to live and work in the wide-open Western rangelands.
How the Gathering Started
The first Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering happened in 1985. William Wilson helped get money for the event. A group of experts and local cowboy poets, including Hal Cannon and Waddie Mitchell, organized it. The idea was to create a place where cowboys and ranchers could meet. They could share poems about their lives working with cattle.
From the very beginning, it was clear that these men and women had found a special community. It was an artistic group that many people didn't even know existed.
Growing into a National Event
Over the years, this small gathering grew much bigger. It became a nation of Western poets, musicians, artists, and storytellers. They now share their creativity all across the country. The Elko Gathering was even renamed the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This happened thanks to a special act of Congress in 1980.
Many people simply call it "Elko." It's a popular place for thousands of ranch folk and others who love the West. They come to learn about and enjoy art that connects to nature. This includes the rhythms of the earth and sky.
What Happens at the Gathering?
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering lasts for six days. It's packed with many activities. You can enjoy poetry readings and live music. There's also dancing, workshops, and art exhibits. People gather for conversations, good food, and friendship. The event is based on old traditions. But it also focuses on what rural life in the West is like today.
The very first gathering in 1985 had 40 poets. Less than 1,000 people came to watch. By 2009, for its 25th anniversary, many more people attended. Even retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was a main speaker. Other famous speakers have included Temple Grandin and Barry Corbin.
Many talented artists have performed at the gathering. Some well-known names include Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Joel Nelson, and Wallace McRae. Famous groups like Riders in the Sky have also performed. Other notable artists are Georgie Sicking, Dalton Wilcox, Ian Tyson, and Baxter Black.
Other Cowboy Gatherings
The success of the Elko Gathering inspired other similar events. For example, the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering started in 1987. It was held at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.
Another event was started by Alvin G. Davis. He attended the Texas gathering as a cowboy poet. In 1989, he formed the American Cowboy Culture Association in Lubbock. This group helps put on an annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration. It happens every year after Labor Day.
