Cowpoke Fall Gathering offers poetry, music & storytelling

WHAT IS COWBOY POETRY? “After the labors of the day are over, the men gather around the fire and the social hour of the day is spent in yarning,” writes Andy Adams in Log of a Cowboy. “The stories told may run from the sublime to the ridiculous, from a true incident to a base fabrication.”

Best of all, it’s a one-way ticket to the past and a glorious way of life, according to the sponsors of the 17th Annual Cowpoke Fall Gathering in Loomis.

The gathering, Nov. 10-13, is a weekend of cowboy heritage, poetry and singing at the historic Blue Goose Event Center.

It features nationally known performers such as Sourdough Slim, a “one man Western extravaganza” who has performed at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. Others include cowboy singer Dave Stamey and poet and storyteller Chris Isaacs.

There are also cowboy activities such as a stagecoach ride, a western BBQ, cowboy and cowgirl shopping and real Texas longhorns. Youths get a chance to write and recite their own
cowboy poetry.

The popular event was launched by locals Bert and Carol Braun in 1995. They had attended cowboy performances in Elko, NV and wanted to start one here.

“We have donated funds since the very beginning to various charities,” according to the founders, including the renovation of the Blue Goose fruit shed.

This year all proceeds will be donated to the Blue Goose restoration project, the “Ride to Walk” program that helps children with disabilities; and “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” a program for the western community to rally against breast cancer.

For more information, go to www.CowpokeFallGathering.com or call 916-652-6113