Cowpoke Fall Gathering and Eggplant Festival in Loomis

BAXTER BLACK CAN SHOE A HORSE, STRING A BARBED WIRE fence and bang out a Bob Willis classic on his flat top guitar. From The Tonight Show and NPR to RFD-TV, Baxter’s wacky verse has been seen and heard by millions.

Black is “probably the nation’s most successful living poet,” The New York Times wrote. His 24 books of poetry and essays have sold more than 630,000 copies. He also can be followed nationally through his column, on radio, TV and public appearances.

This fall, Black is coming to the foothills, where he will be the headliner at the 18th annual Cowpoke Fall Gathering on November 8-11 in Loomis. The popular weekend gathering, at the Blue Goose Event Center, celebrates cowboy heritage, poetry, singing and storytelling.

There are also cowboy activities, such as a stagecoach ride, a western BBQ, roping with cowboys and Texas longhorns.

Other national and regional performers include Rusty Richards, Pat Richardson, Bill Brewster, Jeralynn Strong, John Kintz and Jeff Severson as emcee. Cowboy Singer Richards sang tenor with Roy Rogers’ Sons of the Pioneers for 20 years. He was a “riding shooting” cowboy in Hollywood in films and TV shows, such as Rawhide, Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

Cowboy poetry is a booming literary movement. Its modern rebirth dates to January 1985, when the Western Folklife Center held a gathering of cowboy poets in Elko, Nev.

The Cowpoke Festival in Loomis was started by locals Bert and Carol Braun in 1995. They attended the cowboy gathering in Elko and wanted to start one here.

Black first met Bert Braun on a trail ride and is eager to return. “I like those little oranges where the peel comes right off,” he told us, referring to Mountain Mandarins. “I brought home two bags the last time.” For more information about the Cowpoke Festival, visit CowpokeFallGathering.com.

Eggplant Festival
THE 25TH ANNUAL EGGPLANT Festival is October 6 in Loomis. It features star performers, talented chefs, arts and crafts and delicious, colorful food—not just eggplants. In the past, we’ve enjoyed sampling the eggplant ratatouille, prepared by the Mayor himself.

The Loomis Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event includes wine tasting, a farmers market and entertainment. Loomis is an up-and-comer for wine tasting, microbreweries and restaurants that feature fresh, local produce.

(Eggplants: By Eileen Blodgett)