Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso

It's three full days of everything cowboy. The Symposium features demonstrations of many different types of horse related activities including: horsemanship with Craig Cameron, shooting demonstrations by the Chisum Trail Shooters, roping, and blacksmithing, along with booths brimming with western arts and crafts. The Symposium also has plenty of things for kids to do including competitions of dummy roping, stick horse barrel racing, goat roping and a goat/sheep scramble. With all there is to do, the authentic cowboy music and poetry is still the star of the Symposium. This is where all things “cowboy” are celebrated.

World's Richest Chuckwagon Cook-off

One of the highlights of the Symposium is the world's richest chuckwagon cook-off (featured on the Food Network's All American Festivals) with prizes totaling $12,000. Competitors are judged not only on their mouth-watering food, but on the authenticity of their wagons and attire.

Thursday night concert

Each year, there's a Thursday night concert with Leon Rausch & the Texas Playboys featuring Tommy Allsup. The featured group for 2009 will be Mel Tillis.

Friday and Satuday Night Dances

Western Swing is still the King -- and nowhere is that more evident than our Friday and Saturday night dances. The 2009 Friday night dance will feature Larry Gatlin, Leon Rausch, The Texas Playboys and Tommy Allsup. Additional entertainers will be Floyd Domino and The All Stars, Billy Mata, Ginny Mac, Liz Talley, Justin Trevenio and Darrell McCall plus many more great entertainers. Sometimes there is a surprise guest to join forces to get the crowd swingin' to the liveliest music west of the Mississippi!

Cooking Demonstrations

C.W. "Butch" Welch, a native Idahoan, served twenty-one years as a Conservation Officer for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. In the course of his career he was assigned to various duty stations around the beautiful Gem State. In 1994 the Shikar Safari Club International recognized Welch as Idaho's "Wildlife Officer of the Year" for his meritorious service in the field of wildlife conservation and law enforcement!

Cee Dub's stories and recipes come from his years in the back country, both in the line of duty as well as in the "line of fun".

Sunday Activities

Sunday admission is now free with performances by gospel artists including the Good News Band, Jimmy Burson, Rev. Charles Clary and more. Music continues on all stages and demonstration areas remain open.

Experience awesome scenery and religion on the Sunday Saddle Sermon Trail Ride. There is no charge for this ride. Bring your own horse or rent one. Call 575.808-1769 to register.

To purchase tickets please call 575-378-4431 or log onto CowboySymposium.org

Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso Each year, during the second full weekend in October (for 2009 - October 9, 10, and 11), Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico plays host to the nation's finest cowboy poets, musicians (including the world famous Texas Playboys), chuckwagon cooks, western artists and craftsmen for three days of events, competitions, and workshops. In 1996, the symposium was selected as the Best Cowboy Cultural Event by the National Cowboy Symposium Association. It's three full days of everything cowboy. The Symposium features demonstrations of many different types of horse related activities including: horsemanship with Craig Cameron, shooting demonstrations by the Chisum Trail Shooters, roping, and blacksmithing, along with booths brimming with western arts and crafts. The Symposium also has plenty of things for kids to do including competitions of dummy roping, stick horse barrel racing, goat roping and a goat/sheep scramble. With all there is to do, the authentic cowboy music and poetry is still the star of the Symposium. This is where all things “cowboy” are celebrated. World's Richest Chuckwagon Cook-off One of the highlights of the Symposium is the world's richest chuckwagon cook-off (featured on the Food Network's All American Festivals) with prizes totaling $12,000. Competitors are judged not only on their mouth-watering food, but on the authenticity of their wagons and attire. Thursday night concert Each year, there's a Thursday night concert with Leon Rausch & the Texas Playboys featuring Tommy Allsup. The featured group for 2009 will be Mel Tillis. Friday and Satuday Night Dances Western Swing is still the King -- and nowhere is that more evident than our Friday and Saturday night dances. The 2009 Friday night dance will feature Larry Gatlin, Leon Rausch, The Texas Playboys and Tommy Allsup. Additional entertainers will be Floyd Domino and The All Stars, Billy Mata, Ginny Mac, Liz Talley, Justin Trevenio and Darrell McCall plus many more great entertainers. Sometimes there is a surprise guest to join forces to get the crowd swingin' to the liveliest music west of the Mississippi! Cooking Demonstrations C.W. "Butch" Welch, a native Idahoan, served twenty-one years as a Conservation Officer for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. In the course of his career he was assigned to various duty stations around the beautiful Gem State. In 1994 the Shikar Safari Club International recognized Welch as Idaho's "Wildlife Officer of the Year" for his meritorious service in the field of wildlife conservation and law enforcement! Cee Dub's stories and recipes come from his years in the back country, both in the line of duty as well as in the "line of fun". Sunday Activities Sunday admission is now free with performances by gospel artists including the Good News Band, Jimmy Burson, Rev. Charles Clary and more. Music continues on all stages and demonstration areas remain open. Experience awesome scenery and religion on the Sunday Saddle Sermon Trail Ride. There is no charge for this ride. Bring your own horse or rent one. Call 575.808-1769 to register. To purchase tickets please call 575-378-4431 or log onto CowboySymposium.org Based on information provided by Cowboy Symposium © 2009
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