July 16, 2024 |
Photo – Horse and wagon announcing Cowboy Gathering – Courtesy Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Facebook page
Saratoga’s own cowboy musician Daron Little will perform his “Cowpuncher Music” this weekend at the 22nd Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering (GECG) in Encampment. He will be joined by another dozen noted cowboy poets and musicians at Grand View Park, Opera House and Encampment school.
Kicking off the three-day event Friday evening at 6:30 in Grand View Park will be the open mic poetry and music performance, hosted by GECG Outfit member Jason Swedlund, followed by the traditional and popular Campfire Jam Session, under the direction of Henry Pratte, at the fire pit in the park. You are invited to join the entertainers to pick, sing, tell tales, listen or just watch and enjoy.
An addition this year is food venders at the Park on Friday, including Wyo Bowls and Olio.
Saturday morning will open at 9:00 o’clock with rawhide, leather and horsehair demonstrations by Matteo Abbruzzese and Jeff Freeze at the Park, followed by 4-H kids crafting demonstration and sale of their works of art at 10:00 o’clock.
Beginning at 10 a.m. in the Opera House downtown Cowboy Poet Yvonne Hollenbeck will present a quilt show program entitled “Patchwork on the Prairie.”
Lunch will be served by the Encampment/Riverside Lions Club beginning about 11 at the Park shelter.
The free “Western Entertainment Roundup,” under the direction of Jason Swedlund and featuring a dozen cowboy poets and musicians, begins at noon under the tents at the park. A memorial to folks who passed away during the past year will be featured.
Saturday evening at 7:00 in the Encampment school gym, western folk singer and entertainer Steve Moulton will emcee the “All-Star Cowboy Poetry and Music Show” featuring Kevin Davis, Daron Little and Yvonne Hollenbeck.
During the night show, other activities include a remembrance of Lynn Finney, an auction, plus the announcement of the winner of the R. G. Finney framed print, “Mountain Vista”.
Back in the park Sunday morning at 9:30, Cowboy Church will be conducted by Ken and Becky Kreusel, who will be joined by the Berger family and other volunteers.
Again, those planning to attend the events at Grand View Park are asked to take a chair and enjoy a weekend of good, old-fashioned, wholesome entertainment sponsored by the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Outfit. Seating will be provided at the Quilt Show and Saturday night at the all-star show in the Encampment school gym.
