Get your cowboy on in Cowtown: Spend an evening with whiskey and Willie Nelson songs
.jpg "A longhorn herd walks past the Fort Worth Stockyards sign.")
This year marks the 17th annual National Day of the American Cowboy celebration and Fort Worth, “Where the West Begins,” has plenty of ways to celebrate in Cowtown.
The fourth Saturday in July was first designated to honor the American cowboy in 2006 through Senate Resolution 371.
The day was created to recognize the contributions of pioneering men and women who helped settle the American West and to honor the modern day cowboy’s contributions to U.S. culture and the economy.
“Membership in rodeo and other organizations encompassing the livelihood of a cowboy transcends race and sex and spans every generation,” according to the 2006 Senate Resolution.
Family-friendly festivities will take place in the Fort Worth Stockyards between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. along East Exchange Avenue, at Cowtown Coliseum, Mule Alley and Stockyards Station.
From live music and cold beer to a parade and rodeo, here are ways to celebrate the American Cowboy in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Live music
- Fiddle showcase: 10-11:15 a.m.
- Buffalo Bill’s Cowboy Band: noon to 12:30 p.m., 1-1:30 p.m.
Calamity Janes: 1-4 p.m.
- Cowtown Opry: 2-3 p.m.
- Cowtown Ramblers: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Whiskey Bandits: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Hotel Drover will kick off its themed nights series “The Backyard Unplugged” with a Willie & Whiskey night on July 22. Fort Worth-based Blackland Distillery will serve exclusive, handcrafted cocktails and local musician Mike Randall will sing classic Willie Nelson covers between 7-10 p.m.
ZZ Top tribute band ZZ TEX will perform at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis Theater at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought online for $18.
Billy Bob’s Texas will also host the Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen: Hold My Beer Tour at 10 p.m. General admission tickets can be bought for $25 on the AXS website.
Parade and cattle drive
The Cowboy Celebration Parade will run from east to west Exchange Avenue at 11:30 a.m.
The Fort Worth Herd will also have their daily cattle drive with their Herd Experience from 1 to 2 p.m. behind the Livestock Exchange Building.
Rodeo
The Stockyards Championship Rodeo will take place in the Cowtown Coliseum at 1:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought on the AXS website or in-person at the box office. Ticket prices and service fees are the same whether you buy online or in-person.
Contests and other things to do
- Cow milking contests: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Armadillo races: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Roll-O-Ropers: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Face painting and glitter tattoos: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Chuck Wagon Cowboy Poetry: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Riscky’s BBQ Rib Eating Contest: 11 a.m.
- Old West Comedy Gunfight Shows: noon and 4:15 p.m.
Another deal to know about: John Wayne: An American Experience museum will offer $2 off admission if you wear your cowboy hat. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
