NATIONAL COWBOY SYMPOSIUM & CELEBRATION written by Dr. Richard W. Slatta, PhD - It has been the desire of those involved in the National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration for the last twenty-one years that some type of historic record be documented of all the varied elements of this gathering. Dr. Richard Slatta, who has written extensively on western culture and participated in the ‘Symposium’ in many ways, has done an outstanding job of capturing as much of the past two decades of this important and enjoyable event. It wasn’t a lone achievement but the culmination of work by so many who were an integral part of this annual affair and shared their stories with him. Alvin Davis, the ramrod and originator of this event presented all types of information, and directed him to those who had been and were still involved in this important event held each year in Lubbock, Texas.
It has truly been a western cultural ‘catch-all’ including all the genres that have made it interesting to a multitude of people who enjoy the western way of life. It began as many events have, by those who were afraid we were losing the true western heritage we hold dear. That heritage is thought to be the source of our best works and efforts. If it could be presented to the public as the past life of the west, it could hopefully be‘saved’ from extinction. The NCS&C has done a bang-up job of doing so through poetry, singers and musicians, artists and actors, writers, scholars, storytellers, publishers, rodeo cowboys & cowgirls, ranchers, chuckwagon cooking experts, horse men and women, and so much more.
The annual event began in 1989 with 200 performers entertaining 3,000 spectators. Since that time, however, the spectator numbers have increased greatly. Each year the traditional events are held, but there is always something new that has never before been included.
The American Cowboy Culture Awards are also given each year at the ‘Symposium’ to people for their contributions to cowboy culture and western heritage. The are listed here. Those deemed worthy of this honor have received the award in such categories as; Pioneer Woman, Western Museum, Chuckwagon, Western Movies and TV, Western Writing, Working Cowboy, Rodeo, Western Music, Ranching, Cowboy Poetry, and many more. Elmer Kelton, who won the American Cowboy Culture Award in 1991for Western Writing & Publishing, wrote the Welcome in this book. He said, “In these times of fast and often bewildering change, we need an anchor to hold on to. Our cowboy heritage is such an anchor.” The 2010 Symposium & Celebration was dedicated to the memory of Kelton, who died in 2009, and participated in 18 of the 21 annual ‘Symposium’ events.
The book is a vast array of information about the West and how it has been presented by the National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration. It is a definite must for any western library. The book is published by The American Cowboy Culture Association, Inc. and sells for $45.00. To purchase please call 806-798-7825 or email: cowboysymposium@suddenlink.net.
