Feb. 19-21, 2026: A Gathering As Big As Texas
Alpine: Heart of the Big Bend
The big skies and friendly faces of the Big Bend are waiting for you! Out here, the air is clear, the stars are bright, and the high desert scenery goes on for miles. Cowboy poetry gatherings have been happening here for 38 years. We'll have performers in paid and free shows performing Thurs-Sat in Alpine, plus chuckwagon breakfasts, the youth poetry contest, and more. Come early, stay longer, and experience the Big Bend area.
Bastrop: History on the River
We've been invited to bring the music, poetry, and camaraderie of the Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering to "the most historic small town in Texas," known for its beautiful trees and its role in the Texas cattle industry. East of Austin, Bastrop is easily accessible from San Antonio and Houston as well. We'll have performers in paid and free shows performing Thurs-Sat in Bastrop, plus chuckwagons, youth poetry, and more.
Spotlight
The Gathering in 4 Minutes
Curious about cowboy poetry and what happens at a cowboy poetry gathering? Our four-minute film by John and Erika Moore will give you some ideas. You'll see snippets of performances, scenes from our chuckwagon breakfasts, and more.
"People are fascinated about stuff that is real . . . When someone is talking about the way they live, and inviting you into their world, and sharing that with you, it's a powerful thing."
"Well, it's not poetry, and it's not music — it's both. But more than that, it's where you came from . . . It comes out of stillness."
NOTE: Use the 4-arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the player to go fullscreen for easier viewing.
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Thanks to Our 2025 Sponsors
Hotel Parker / Spicewood Restaurant
Special Sponsors
City of Alpine · Kay & Gene Nowell · Hilltop Livestock of Alpine · NP Cattle Co
Cattle Baron Sponsors
Academy of Western Artists · West7 · McCoy's Building Supply · Texas Country Music Association
Cow Boss Sponsors
@SlusherPhoto · @GerryGesell · LuckyBDesign
Point Rider Sponsors
Front Street Books · Legacy Broker Group / Carpenter Real Estate · The Stable Performance Cars · Vise Coffee
Wrangler Sponsors
BBT · Big Bend Radio KVLF/KALP · Big Bend Saddlery · Braun & Gresham · Capital Farm Credit · Highland Drug · Madrone Land & Shelter · McDonald's Restaurant · Morrison True Value Hardware · Cynthia Tune Murphey · Museum of the Big Bend · Walt Pyle & Debbie Newberry, The Old Holland in Alpine · Pace & Associates, CPAs · RANGE magazine · Reata Restaurant, Alpine · JJ Rusz · Skinner's Drilling & Well Service · Texas Farm Store · Texas Folklore Society · West of the Pecos Cattlewomen · West Texas National Bank
Puncher Sponsors:
Alpine Veterinary Clinic · Big Bend Trailers · Goodnight-Loving Trail Inc. · Horsehead Crossing Event · IntoTheFrontierBigBend.com · Jackass Flats Improvements · Lowe's · Maverick Bank · McKenzie Land & Livestock · Rx Prescription Shop Pharmacy · Wayne Baize Western Art
Street Banner Sponsors