Encampment will once again host Cowboys and Cowgirls from all over the West with the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering (GECB) this weekend.
Now in its 12th year, audiences will be treated to a mixture of cowboy culture, including Dutch-oven cooking, a stick-horse rodeo and cowboy music and poetry. “There will be music continuously going throughout the day,” Steve Moulton, president of the GECB outfit, said.
The events begin Friday with an open mic at 7 p.m. on July 18 at Grand View Park. This event will include a variety of poetry and music from regional and local artists.
A Dutch-oven cook off will take place on July 19. Registration for the event begins at 7 a.m., and judging will take place at 11 a.m. The cook off will be held at Grand View Park.
Kids of all ages will be able to participate in the stick-horse rodeo, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Grand Encampment Museum will host historic building tours all day Saturday, as well.
Saturday night, the All-star cowboy poetry and music show will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Encampment Opera House. Cowboy Music and poetry will be performed by some of the biggest names in cowboy music and poetry.
Among those performing are R.W. Hampton, a singer/songwriter from New Mexico who has released 12 albums and has been named the Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the Academy of Western Artists. He has been granted the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 by the American Cowboy Culture Awards. In 2011, he was named to the Western Music Association’s Hall of Fame.
Audiences will also hear the musical stylings of Trinity Seely. Living on a ranch in Martin’s Cove, Wyo., Seely has been recognized for incorporating traditional western music with her unique perspective of ranch life.
“She’s a girl who really talks the talk and walks the walk,” Moulton said. “She’s really coming into her own musically.”
Poet Robert Dennis will be reciting his poems at the GECB Gathering. The South Dakota cowboy poet has been a featured performer at the National Cowboy Gathering three times, and will once again make an appearance in the Platte Valley.
Representing the Platte Valley, Cowboy poet Chuck Larsen will once again be reciting his poetry in Encampment. Larsen will also be the emcee for the event.
“We are always excited to have Chuck as our emcee,” Moulton said. “He is an excellent poet and has good material.”
Because tickets are selling fast, Moulton said anyone can sit in the park and listen to the performances at the all-star cowboy poetry and music show for free.
Following all events on Friday and Saturday will be an informal music and poetry jam session at Grand View Park. All are welcome to participate in the event.
Sunday will include a Chuckwagon breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., and Cowboy Church at 10 a.m. The church services will be conducted by Ken and Becky Kreusel, and R.W. Hampton will also help with the church services.
The event is organized by ranchers, musicians, poets and writers living in the Platte Valley to help preserve and promote the ranching way of life.
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