Cowboy Gathering returning to Encampment

"We're back . . . & FREE!" blasts the headline of the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering poster announcing resumption of the cowboy poetry and music event which was cancelled last year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The poster further notes, "Stay well and come to Encampment, Wyo., for the 18th/19th Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, July 16, 17 & 18, 2021."

Originally all activities were to be held at Grand View Park adjacent to the Grand Encampment Museum, however, with the Covid ban being lifted the big show Saturday night will again be held in the Encampment school gym and a Saturday Night dance will be at the Grand Encampment Opera House.

The three-day celebration will begin Friday evening at 6:30 in Grand View Park with a free open mic cowboy poetry/music gig, with Jason Swedlund as emcee, followed by the popular campfire jam session led by Ken Kreusel.

Saturday morning at 10:00 will open with a free self defense seminar staged by Sheriff Jim Wilson of Texas, followed by  a fee-charged lunch served by Encampment/Riverside Lions Club, with all proceeds going to community projects.

At noon Saturday the free western entertainment roundup will be staged under the tents at Grand View Park. The popular event features a dozen performers, including the headliners, and will be led by Encampment singer/entertainer Steve Moulton.

Climaxing an event-filled Saturday will be the "All Star Cowboy Poetry/Music Show" beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Encampment school gym, featuring headliners Jeff Gore, Many Strings & Co. and Deanna Dickinson McCall with Daron Little as emcee, plus presentation of pioneer award, announcement of Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee and selection of raffle winner of R. G. Finney print "Buck Stops Here".

A Saturday night dance beginning at 9:00 will conclude a busy Saturday. For a $5 bill folks can dance the night away to the music of "The Poudre Valley Playboys with Jason Swedlund" at G.E. Opera House in downtown Encampment.

Sunday morning dawns with a cowboy ranch breakfast between 8:00 and 10:00 at Grand View Park. For a $10 bill folks will receive a breakfast of  "biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, coffee, water and orange juice" cooked and served by the Cowboy Gathering Outfit crew.

Cowboy Church will open at 10:00 a.m. under the tents at Grand View Park. And as had been the tradition for the past 18 years, the worship service and gospel music will be led by Ken and Becky Kreusel, with many other performers joining in.

Connie's famous cinnamon rolls will be available all weekend.

According to a press release from the sponsoring GECG Outfit, the free events are made possible by the steadfast, generous support of partners and friends during the past 17 years plus unanticipated revenue from grants for last year's cancelled Gathering, "which left the outfit with a pocket full of money."

"And, as with most cowboys, the cash is burning a hole in our pockets, so we are inviting all of you to a weekend of free cowboy poetry and music. All folks need to bring is themselves and a folding chair," the release states.