The Durango Cowboy Gathering, October 2-5, invites cowboys of all walks to flock to Durango for a weekend of wild festivities! Nationally renowned cowboy poets entertain the town with song and yarn throughout the event, and an authentic, “motorless” parade graces the downtown streets one day during the Gathering each year.

This years event kicks off Thursday October 2nd with the Gallery Opening of Thom Ross's Exhibit, "The Life of a Cowboy." This event is free and goes from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Durango Art Center. Then afterwards be sure to head over to the FLD Community Concert Hall to catch the Legendary Ian Tyson in concert at 7:00 p.m.

Other performers at this years Cowboy Gathering include Patty Clayton, Neil Abbott, Joel Nelson, Ken Overcast, Sally Bates, Rod McQueary and many others. As well as The Cowboy Poets of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, departing at 10:00 a.m. on Friday October 3rd, where a cowboy poet will ride along and perform in each car. This special trip also includes a lunch stop at the Cascade Wye where the poets and musicians will perform a special show. Reservations for tickets, which are priced $59 for adults and $39 for children, are available through DSNGRR.

Along with all these other great events is, as always, the Cowboy Parade, starting at 10:00 a.m. Saturday October 4th. It will begin at The Train Depot at 5th Street and continue North on Main Avenue to 11th Street. The parade of horsedrawn carriages, wagons, and riders will carry this year's theme, "Spirit of the West."