Celebrate Bandera

  Each year, for the past eight years, the history of one of the Hill Country’s most colorful towns comes alive.  This year is no exception.  Bandera, Cowboy Capital of the World, wakes up Labor Day Weekend, to a world that existed more than 150 years ago.  It is a Texas Brigadoon: drovers drifting into town for their first cup of coffee; a herd of longhorns gathering on the banks of the Medina; wranglers getting them ready for the drive north, through downtown Bandera.

              Downtown looks like a carnival: wagons loaded to their canvas tops with goods that traveling drummers are feverishly unpacking to show the townsfolk who are sure to gather to watch the beautiful, fearsome, colossal bovines moving slowly up Main Street.  Itinerant musicians are already on the street—playing a song for a coin in their silver cup—trying to earn enough to get to the next town.  Bowler-hatted dandies are up and down Main Street, hawking tickets to tonight’s entertainment at the local saloons.

              But this is 2010, only acting like it’s the 1800s.  The magic is in Bandera Community Foundation’s (BCF) eight -year history of producing Celebrate Bandera—a historic re-enactment and celebration of Bandera’s 158 years.  BCF throws this something-for-everyone party each Labor Day weekend.  And what a party it is! 

              The first event starts at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening on September2nd th at Mansfield Park with a two stage Eliminator and 2 stage Riffle competition of Cowboy Mounted Shooters.  Friday at 6:00 p.m. they are back at it with a 4 stage pistol shoot.  Some of the best Cowboy Mounted Shooters in the Nation are expected to compete. This fast-moving, colorful competition features cowboys and cowgirls dressed in period costume, riding at top speed while shooting pistols at balloon targets.   Admission is $5.00.   Also Friday evening the Circle of Life Powwow will begin with the Blessing of the Circle at 6:00 p.m..  This beautiful ritual is followed by Gourd Dancing, Intertribal dancing, and a silent auction featuring Native American art.  Admission to the Circle of Life Powwow is $5.00 and the admission is good for all three days of the Powwow.

              Bright and early Saturday morning, volunteers will welcome old trail riders and newly-minted cowboys and cowgirls with a hearty chuck wagon breakfast to fortify them for the day’s activities.  A huge Arts and Crafts Fair opens on the Courthouse lawn at 10:00.   Anticipation grows with the waiting for the Y O. Ranch wranglers to drive their herd of longhorns from the Hill Country State Natural Area into Bandera promptly at 11:00 a.m., kicking off the annual Labor Day Parade.  This is part of Bandera’s colorful past.  These Texas Longhorns are just like those of more than a century earlier when Bandera was one of the major gathering places on the Great Western Trail for over six million head of longhorns that were driven to market in Dodge City, Kansas, and other points north.  It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen them, these animals are always a thrill.  But they are just the beginning of the parade.  Behind the cattle and trail ride enthusiasts are characters of every description and re-enactors representing every period in Bandera’s history.    

                At 12:00 noon, the Circle of Life Intertribal Powwow—bigger than ever and lasting for two days—gets under way at Mansfield Park.  At City Park on the Medina River the Rustle on the River for Cowpokes and Kids opens with exhibits, including the San Antonio Living History Association, Brazos Bottom Cowographers, Concho Cowboys, Buffalo Soldiers,  Texas Longhorn Riders Association, Dr. E.T. Bushrod’s Medicine Show, Trail Rides, Stagecoach Rides, and Chuck Wagons and the Twin Elm Little Wranglers Rodeo. Bring the kiddos cause they will want to sign up for the mutton bustin, or goat branding!   And it is all FREE!                        

          At 6:00 p.m, the much anticipated Buffalo Bill ‘s Wild West Show swings into action.  Trick riders, Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley, Native American Indians and the whole history of the West come alive!  Featured this year are six of the best trick ropers in the United States.  Several of them hold World Champion titles, including Kevin Fitzpatrick, current World Champion Trick Roper and Will, his nine-year-old son, who holds the Youth World Champion Trick Roper title.  All of the kids attending the Wild West Show will have the opportunity to be part of the show and twirl a rope in the arena with this awesome gathering of the best trick ropers in the world!  There will be a stagecoach holdup, wagon train attack by Indians!    If all that isn’t enough excitement for you, the Wild West Show is followed by the National Professional Bull Riders’ Challenge, starting at 8:00 p.m.  

              If Bandera has not worn you out yet, you can head for the  Kings of Western Swing Dance series at 11th Street Cowboy Bar, The Longhorn Saloon, The Bandera Saloon, Blue Gene’s or Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar. You can bet the music will go on into the night!

              Sunday morning, you can join the cowboys at the Western Heritage Cowboy Church Service on the River that begins with a cowboy breakfast, and is followed by a worship service and great music by the Western Heritage Cowboy Band.  After church, you can start all over again with more Arts and Crafts, Intertribal Powwow and more great music on the Courthouse lawn.  Sunday afternoon brings the second in the Kings of Western Swing dance series at the local watering holes.  As the evening draws near, you can enjoy the finals of the National Professional Bull Riders’ Challenge at 7:00 p.m.  

            Monday morning at 10:00 its back to Mansfield Park at 10:00 a.m. for the second annual Invitational Tie Down Roping and Barrel Racing Shootout! 

              If you haven’t been to Celebrate Bandera, you’re going to have to discover for yourself why folks say “it’s the most fun you can have with your boots on!”  For the best cowboy experience you’ll ever have, come to Celebrate Bandera, in the Cowboy Capital of the World!    For more information or to get ticket information about special shows, go to www.celebratebandera.com or call 830-796-4447 or 800- 364-3833.