Frontier Times Day of the American Cowboy
Join the famous Frontier Times Museum on Friday and Saturday, July 23-24, 2011, as we celebrate the National Day of the American Cowboy in Bandera, Texas, the Cowboy Capital of the World!
Enjoy a weekend of ranch rodeo, dancing, gunfights, storytelling, cowboy poetry, country music, hall of honor inductions, Pony Express racing, and bronc riding!
Stroll through the Cowboy General Store Market where you can purchase just about anything having to do with cowboys. Bring the kiddos 'cause we have plenty for them to do! There will be cowboy dress up, stick horse races, cow chip tossin', leather stamping and pony rides. There will be story tellers, cowboy singers, trick ropers, washer pitchin', some of the prettiest saloon gals you have ever seen, music and, well, the list just goes on!
The Frontier Times Day of the American Cowboy starts in:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, July 22, 2011
Mansfield Park
The action begins with the Frontier Times Ranch Rodeo, a preliminary qualifier for the South Texas Ranch Rodeo.
Ranch Rodeo events were created to simulate what the cowboys did for work each day on the ranch. The rodeos became gatherings of ranch families and big social functions. As time went on, the modern day rodeo evolved from the original ranch rodeos.
The purpose of the rodeo and skill of the cowboy have not changed the challenge. Many cowboys still focus on mastering the individual skills and showcasing the ability to accomplish ranch tasks as a team just as it's done on the ranch. Modern day Ranch Rodeo is a return to those times of sharing and friendly competition.
This year's Ranch Rodeo event is produced by the Triple R Ranch. Click here for Ranch Rodeo entry information.
General Admission is $10 for adults, Children 6 to 12 is $5, children 5 and younger are free. Box seats (six seats per box) are $100. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Frontier Times Museum or at the gate on the day of the event.
Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. with the Grand Entry and Introduction of Teams
Ranch Rodeo Event #1 - Steer Doctoring
Ranch Rodeo Event #2 - Calf Branding
Dude Ranch Event - "Cowboy Rescue Race""
Ranch Rodeo Event - "Cowboy Rescue Race"
CanCan Dance and Gunfight Spectacular
Calf Scramble for Kids, 12 and under
Ranch Rodeo Event - Steer Loading
Dude Ranch Event - Cowhide Race Ranch Rodeo Event - Cowhide Race
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Bandera County Courthouse - Downtown Bandera
Look for upcoming announcement on all Courthouse Events
Noon - Inductions to the Frontier Times Museum Texas Heroes Hall of Honor
At high noon there's a special surprise. The Frontier Times Museum will introduce a group of special Texans as the museum inductees their 2011 Inductees into the Frontier Times Museum Texas Heroes Hall of Honor.
The Frontier Times Museum, which opened in 1933 by J. Marvin Hunter,is an outgrowth of his passion for collecting and sharing the stories of the pioneers, REMARKABLE INDIVIDUALS and WONDEROUS CHARACTERS, who carved the history of this state with their sheer strength of character and cleared the paths for others to follow. They have been the foundation and the inspiration for the ingredients which has produced the unique cultural icons known throughout the world as "True Texans." The list of inductees for our Hall of Heroes are selected for their contributions, actions and lifestyles that truly define the term "True Texan."
National Anthem
Song - Jack Torpe
Welcome - County Judge Richard Evans
Proclamation - Mayor Horst Pallaske
Comments from the Texas State Capitol - Representative Doug Miller
Induction of Texas Heroes Hall of Honor Inductees
3:30 p.m. at the Museum - After the festivities on the Courthouse lawn, you can mosey on up to the Museum and take a look at the wonderful collection of J. Marvin Hunter. This museum is the jewel of Bandera, and you just can't come to Bandera and miss it. Perfect time to cool off before the evening events!
Mansfield Park
Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. with the Grand Entry and Introduction of Teams
Ranch Rodeo Event - Steer Roping
Dude Ranch Event - "Pony Express Race"
Ranch Rodeo Event - Calf Branding
Ranch Rodeo Event - Wild Cow Milking
CanCan Dance and Gunfight Spectacular
Calf Scramble for Kids, 12 and under
Ranch Rodeo Event - Steer Loading
Dude Ranch Event - Stampede Race
Ranch Rodeo Event - Bronc Riding
Awards Presentation
FRONTIER TIMES RANCH RODEO
When the Frontier Times Museum decided to host a rodeo in honor of the National Day of the American Cowboy, it just seemed a Ranch Rodeo was the way to go. "We began our research and decided if we were going to do this annually, we might as well make it the best Ranch Rodeo we could find" said Johnny Boyle, Museum President at the time. "We went to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Association to see what was available because they host the South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals. Their response was immediate. They were very interested in making Bandera, Cowboy Capital of the World part of their circuit." The next step involved contacting a rodeo producer that could handle the production and Triple R came highly recommended.
Triple R Rodeo, established in 1986, produces authentic Ranch Rodeos that provide a more exciting view of the cowboy way! Their events offer spectacular entertainment for all ages. Triple R Rodeo strives to host Rodeos that create enthusiasm, but still maintain and represent a more traditional ranching heritage. They will also present the annual Ranch Rodeo Dude Ranch Championships. Participating teams from local Dude Ranches will compete for the coveted Ester Benedict Trophy that will passed to the winning team each year. The winning team members will also win a pair of boots from Twisted X Boot Company!.
Ranch Rodeos started in the late 1800's when Buffalo Bill invited cowboys from around the country to compete in ranching skills. Rumor has it a multitude showed up! Everyone had such a good time that Bill decided he would take the show on the road and share the history of the "Wild West". Ranch Rodeos became a great opportunity to relax, visit with neighbors and have some friendly competition. What can you expect at a Ranch Rodeo? A working cowboy's everyday duties included riding, roping, branding, horse breaking, and the like, and these activities often served also as his pastime. In the spring, when various ranches cooperated in the roundup, men competed informally, wagering on the fastest roper, the best horse breaker. In Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, large ranches often encouraged "cowboy contests" in roping, riding, and horse breaking, and the sport of rodeo evolved from them in the late nineteenth century. Large ranches around the nation have continued the Ranch Rodeos and they have become highly competitive.
In 2008 the South Texas Ranch Rodeo Association was formed by area ranchers, veterinarians and cowboys. They decided to have the finals held in conjunction with the San Antonio Stock show & Rodeo. The South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals (STRRF) is a 100% volunteer organization that raises funds to be given as scholarships to Texas youth with an emphasis on collegiate rodeo athletics. South Texas has a very rich ranching heritage and it is the association's goal to promote that heritage by embracing the businesses that support ranching towns and furthering the education of students coming from ranching backgrounds. The Bandera Frontier Times Museum is honored to be considered a part of their team.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Frontier Times Museum or at the gate on the day of the event.
SPONSORS & VENDORS
Click here to download a PDF with information on sponsorship opportunities for the Frontier Times Day of the American Cowboy!
TEXAS HEROES HALL OF HONOR
The history of Bandera's own Frontier Times Museum is a story of one man's dream that has become a legacy for an entire community. The Frontier Times Museum has often been referred to as the "jewel" of Bandera. How fortunate we are to have such a "jewel".
The FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM was established by J. Marvin Hunter, author and publisher of the world famous Frontier Times magazine. Now, 76 years since its opening, the Frontier Times Museum, in keeping with the pioneering spirit of its founder, has established the FRONTIER TIMES TEXAS HEROES HALL OF HONOR, to recognize the contributions of REMARKABLE INDIVIDUALS AND WONDEROUS CHARACTERS who, through their leadership, creativity, example and hard work, keep the pioneer spirit alive and HELP KEEP TEXAS, TEXAN. The second annual inductions into the FRONTIER TIMES TEXAS HEROES HALL OF HONOR will be held in conjunction with the NATIONAL DAY of the AMERICAN COWBOY, July 23th, 2011, at high noon the Bandera County Court House Lawn in Bandera, Texas, the Cowboy Capitol of the World.
2010 Inductees
Posthumously:
Bill Picket - Bill Pickett invented the practice of what we know as bulldogging, or steer wrestling. Like a lot of what used to be strictly ranch activities, bulldogging has become a rodeo sport. The sport consists of jumping on a steer from a horse and wrestling the steer to the ground.
Even if someone else got the bright idea to subdue an unruly steer by jumping on it and biting its lip, that person never admitted it. History gives the distinction to Bill Pickett, the oldest of 13 children born in Williamson County to former slaves. He says he got the idea watching dogs do the same thing when they were herding cows.
Pickett demonstrated his unique skills all over America and in Mexico, South America, Canada and England. Cowboy actor Tom Mix and humorist Will Rogers were among the people who served as Pickett's assistant.
Rodeo and Old West historians differ on where this bulldogging thing first happened, and how. The most popular version, especially locally, has the defining moment taking place in Rockdale in 1903 when an unruly Longhorn steer tried Pickett's patience to the point where he did something drastic; he rode his horse alongside the ornery Longhorn then jumped off his horse onto the back of the steer and grabbed its horns. The steer resisted until Pickett bit the steer's lower lip, at which point the steer became downright docile. Pickett wrestled it to the ground with a compliant thud.
Jose Policarpio "Polly" Rodriguez - In the mid-1800s, making Texas habitable for the coming westward expansion meant establishing order across a wild and vast land. Gen. Persifor Smith and the 2nd Calvary were commissioned to site Army forts across the state; leading them across the horse-high grass of North Texas was Tejano scout, guide and interpreter J.P. "Polly" Rodriguez. Rodriguez, known as "Polly", was born in Mexico and came to Texas with his father as a child. He became famous as a scout for the U.S. Army, an Indian fighter, a guide, a hunter, and a minister. He joined the Methodist Church and was licensed as a Methodist preacher and built this tiny chapel with his own hands. Just a short distance from the chapel is a well tended graveyard where Polly is buried.
In 1849 Rodriguez also aided the corps of discovery that marked the first road from San Antonio to El Paso. Rodriguez was a Texas Ranger from 1861 to 1871 and later became Justice of the Peace for Bandera County.
Living Legends:
Red Stagall - Although Red Steagall is best known for his wonderful Texas Swing dance music and such songs as "Here We Go Again", "Party Dolls and Wine", "Freckles Brown", and "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music", Red is beloved by Texas cowboys for the quiet times they have spent with him around chuck wagon campfires. In their opinion, Red Steagall's best music has never been heard by the public. And, if you ask Red where his favorite place to play music is, he might say some famous stage in Nashville, California, Spain, or Germany - or he might say some lonesome cow camp in West Texas.
The Texas State Legislature named Red Steagall the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas in April of1991. He is also the official Cowboy Poet Laureate of the City of San Juan Capistrano, California. In March of 1993, Texas Christian University Press published Red's first book, entitled RIDE FOR THE BRAND; a 168 page collection of poetry and songs embracing the western lifestyle that Red loves and lives. The book includes lead sheets and is illustrated by Cowboy Artists of America members, Bill Owen, Fred Fellows, Joe Beeler and Howard Terpning. Red released his second book, THE FENCE THAT ME AND SHORTY BUILT, in April of 2001. This book of poetry and songs is a 142 page collection of all new poems and songs, including lead sheets, all written since his first book was published. In September of 2003, Texas Tech University Press published a joint effort between Red Steagall and Pulitzer Prize winning
Buck Taylor - Like the windswept West Texas Ranch he now calls home, Buck Taylor's life and career begins at the end of a long and winding dirt road...
Born the son of a famous Hollywood actor, Buck grew up on movie sets, watching his father, celebrated actor Dub Taylor, appear with such movie greats as John Wayne, Tex Ritter and Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. He initially took a different path, studying art at the University of Southern California, and, in 1960, trying out for the U. S. Olympic Gymnastic Team with the sponsorship of the cowboy actor Big Boy Williams.
But the acting profession came calling. It was deeply rooted in the young man, who, after all, had actor Chill Wills help him take his first steps as a baby. Buck began his acting career in the fifties working in television. He appeared in everything from the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and My Favorite Martian to the classic period westerns, including Have Gun Will Travel with Richard Boone, The Rebel with Nick Adams and Bonanza. He is best remembered for his eight-year run as Newly on Gunsmoke, which ended in 1975. Buck appeared in other popular shows including Wagon Train, The Virginian, Dallas, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
Preserving and celebrating the heritage of the American West is the driving force behind Buck's career as a watercolor artist. With an artistic career spanning fifty years both on canvas and on the screen, Buck has garnered substantial acclaim. Recently Buck was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and received the "Spirit of Texas Award." Buck has lent his name and financial support to numerous charities including the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, the Walt Garrison MS Foundation, the FFA Scholarship Fund, the Screen Actors Retirement Home, the Ben Johnson Children's Hospital and the Frontier Texas Museum.
Rudy Robbins - Rudy Robbins grew up in Port Arthur, TX, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High in 1952. After attending Lamar Technical Institute and East Texas Baptist College he graduated in 1956. Robbins achieved success as a western entertainer in film, television, Wild West shows, music and literature. His career began when John Wayne cast him in the epic movie The Alamo and he went on to work as an actor/stuntman in such films as Two Rode Together, Cheyenne Autumn, The Rounders, The Green Berets, Rio Lobo and Sugarland Express. Joining the likes of John Wayne, Charlton Heston and Clint Eastwood, he was awarded an Honorary Membership in The Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures. Robbins also trained horses for other stuntmen and became a production manager for various shows. In 1967, he was selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce to go to Europe as a Cowboy Goodwill Ambassador to introduce and promote the sale of blue jeans. Later Robbins joined with Montie Montana, Jr. to re-create Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. With a cast of 125 cowboys, cowgirls and Indians and 135 buffalo, longhorns and horses the show toured worldwide. Back in Texas, Robbins produced the Rudy Robbins Western Show and The All American Cowboy Get-Together, a two-day event of cowboy music, poetry, cooking, arts, crafts and demonstrations. He also formed the Spirit of Texas, a western harmony group, which, in 1991, was named the "Official Cowboy Band for Texas" by the State Senate. In addition to singing, Robbins has written many songs as well as short stories for Cowboy Magazine. With so many high level accomplishments in the field of western entertainment, Rudy Robbins is truly an all-around Cowboy Showman.
Don & Judy Hicks - Don and Judy Hicks, along with other family members purchase the Mayan Guest Ranch in Bandera, Texas from Bill Morse in 1951. The ranch had been established as a Girl Scout camp for a number of years and boasted 30 cabins. The Hicks family added 36 cabins and got to work developing one of the top destination Dude Ranches in Texas. Well known for their family atmosphere and good food, the Mayan ranch also involved the entire Hicks family that has grown to 53 family members and "we're still growing". Don and Judy not only built a great Dude Ranch, they were the first to market the Texas Hill Country in Europe. In the late 1960's the Hicks met Frank Hildebrandt, head of the Texas State Tourism Department. Frank invited them to London to the World Travel Market and from there; the Hicks took the Texas Hill Country on the road in three markets in England and one in Scotland. From that point forward, Texas has enjoyed the fruits of their labors as they spread the word about Texas and our Texas way of life. The Hicks family was then invited to the International Tourist Professional Powwow, a travel market place for international buyers. The Texas travel industry today continues to benefit from the first "Texas" contacts made in Europe.
2009 Inductees
Posthumously:
J. Marvin Hunter - author, editor, publisher and founder of the FRONTIER TIMES magazine and the FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM. Through his efforts, Hunter helped preserve the first hand accounts of the early pioneers and fostered a keen interest in frontier history and pioneer achievements. His legacy continues to educate and inspire generations through his writings and the Frontier Times Museum.
J. Frank Dobie - Professor, lecturer and author. Another pioneer in the collection of storiesof the great Southwest. Dobie was the first to recognize the stories of the cowboys and vaqueros as valid a literature as the works of Cervantes or Chaucer. He created a renewed pride inTexas' regionalhistory. He believed aliberated mindas one of man's greatest achievements.
Maudeen Marks -- Bandera, Texas. Maudeen came from a long line of Texas legends. She and her father, Emil Marks, were largely responsible for starting the HOUSTON FAT STOCK SHOW & RODEO which was first held on their ranch near Houston. It was through her vision that the Salt Grass Trail Ridewas organized. Maudeen was instrumental in the founding of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association and she served as an advisor. Her brother, Travis Marks, was an original board member with that organization. The Marks' herd of Longhorn cattle is one of the 7 foundation herds of the Association. Ms. Marks was been involved innumerous community and state wide activities. She organized the Ladies of Texas Traditions trail riders. In a state which is known for amazing women, Maudeen kept the MARK in REMARKABLE.
"Captain" Joe Bowman, Houston, Texas, was known as "one of the fastest guns alive". He traveled the world showing the art and the skill of the fast draw and trick shooting. Joe devoted his time to working with youth groups, the FBI and the Texas Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies, with their gun handling proficiency. Bowman was given the honorary rank of "Captain" by the Former Texas Rangers' Foundation. He worked with many movie legends and in the film industry as both a technical director and an actor, Joe Bowman earned the title of being a "Texas Straight Shooter".
Living Legends
Ray Wharton of Bandera, Texas- 1956 WORLD CHAMPION tie-down Calf Roper. Wharton exhibits all of the best traits of the Texas cowboy. He is always a gentleman. He is generous with all that he has. Many cowboys camped at his place in Bandera when they had no other place to go. He is a natural teacher. He helped young cowboys get their start. He encouraged them and developed their confidence with their rope, their horse and themselves. Wharton extended an opportunity to a young African-American to become a professional cowboy at a time when many of his peers would not have taken such a risk. That cowboy, Cleo Hearn, is also a 2009 inductee into the FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM TEXAS HEROS HALL OF HONOR.
Cleo Hearn, Lancaster, Texas, a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1959. In 1971, Hearn and 3 other men formed the American Black Rodeo Association. In 1995, Hearn changed the name and started the Cowboys of Color Association, to be inclusive of other cultures. This rodeo is designed to educate and highlight the contributions all cultures have made to the settling of the west. Hearn has received many awards for his work with communities around the world. He has a lifetime commitment to rodeo, his family, his community and the cowboy way of life.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Bandera, Texas. 2008 World Champion Trick Roper. Kevin continues to distinguish himself as the consummate ambassador of good will. A horse trainer and an expert with a rope Kevin has been an Ambassador at the Texas Folklife Festival for many years. Kevin has represented the Texas Cowboy for the State of Texas and the Cowboy Capital of the World in his travel abroad promoting Texas tourism. He has delighted audiences around the world with his charm and skill. He has devoted much time to his family, his community and his state. He is a talented and able representative of Texas and the American cowboy.
"Empresario" Terry Boothe, Austin, Texas, is a longtime cultural preservationist. Boothe also has the distinction of being the "Discoverer of the West Pole" (certified by the Texas Legislature in 2007) a fact that shows Texans, even Legislators, have a sense of humor. Boothe's desire to preserve Texas culture manifests itself in many ways including, collecting antiques and promoting Texas holiday celebrations. He is one of the founders of the Texas Cultural Heritage Preservation Association and The Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon.
Dr. Raul Gaona, Sr., San Antonio, Texas. The classic and elegant patriarch of the Gaona family. Dr. Gaona exemplifies the best of the Mexican culture. He is very active in his professional community and is an enthusiastic promoter of classical Mexican culture in Texas. He has initiated a tremendous cultural exchange between Texas and Mexico. Dr. Gaona is one of the principle founders of the San Antonio Charro Association. Founded over 55 years ago, it is the oldest Charro Association in the United States.
Stick around after the induction and get the autographs of each of the inductees!
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