Alpine 2026: Schedule

Schedule of Events

Feb. 19-21, 2026

Tickets are required for the chuckwagon breakfasts, 1 PM and 3:30 PM afternoon shows, cowboy suppers, and night shows. See all the performers.

NOTE: Supper ticket sales will end approximately 2 weeks before the Gathering, so the caterer can order the correct amount of food.

Thursday evening
Friday morning
Friday afternoon
Friday evening
Saturday morning
Saturday afternoon
Saturday evening

Thurs., Feb. 19, 2026

• Thurs 12:00 pm: The Mercantile opens; ticket sales and packet pickup begin (University Center, second floor)
• Thurs 5:30-7:00 pm: Cowboy Supper at the Civic Center, catered by Roux Alpine (ticket required: $33 advance; includes tax and tip; not available onsite). Full menu TBA.
• Thurs 7:30-9:45 pm: Thursday Night Show (Marshall Auditorium, Morelock Academic Building) (with intermission; ticket required: $35 online; $40 onsite)
  Campfire Tales
  Joel Nelson, Andy Wilkinson, Ross Knox, and Jenna Paulette
  MC TBA

Fri., Feb. 20, 2026

• VETERANS Library of Congress Story Project: hours & location TBA
• Fri 7:30 – 8:30 am: Chuckwagon Breakfast (Poet's Grove, Kokernot Park) (ticket required: $10 online or onsite)
• Fri 8:30 am: The Mercantile opens (University Center, second floor)
• Fri 9:30 am: Welcome and Board introductions
• Fri 10:00 – 11:45 am: "A Taste of the Gathering" featuring 14 performers (Marshall Auditorium) – includes Andy Wilkinson, Chris Ryden, Ross Knox, Daron Little, Darrell Holden, Andy Hedges, Sandy Seaton Sallee, Trinity Seely, Randy Rieman, Brenn Hill, Joel Nelson, Jenna Paulette, Andy Nelson, and Matt Robertson
  Kay Nowell, MC
• Fri 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Grub Up! (lunch on your own)
• Fri 1:00 – 1:45 pm: Friday Afternoon Show (Marshall Auditorium) (ticket required: $20 online, $25 onsite)
  The Real Deal
  Joel Nelson, Randy Rieman, and Brenn Hill
  MC TBA
• Fri 1:00 – 1:45 pm: Free session
  • University Center Open: Whip and Spur
    Daron Little (host), Darrell Holden, and Matt Robertson
• Fri 2:00 – 3:15 pm: Free sessions
  • Marshall Auditorium: The Buckaroo Fringe
    Brenn Hill (host), Daron Little, Matt Robertson, and Trinity Seely
  • University Center Open: Making a Hand
    Andy Hedges (host), Darrell Holden, Chris Ryden, and Andy Nelson
• Fri 3:30 – 4:45 pm: Friday Late Afternoon Show (Marshall Auditorium) (ticket required: $25 online, $30 onsite)
  Home to the Ranch
  Craig Carter (host), Jenna Paulette, Sandy Seaton Sallee, and Randy Rieman
  MC TBA
• Fri 3:30 – 4:45 pm: Free session
  • University Center Open: Back in the Day
    Darrell Holden (host), Andy Wilkinson, Chris Ryden, and Matt Robertson
  • Fine Arts Theater: Open Mic
    Karen McGuire, MC
    sign up to perform
• Fri 5:30-7:00 pm: Cowboy Supper at the Civic Center, catered by Roux Alpine (ticket required: $33 advance; includes tax and tip; not available onsite). Full menu TBA.
• Fri 7:30–9:45 pm: Friday Night Show (Marshall Auditorium) (with intermission; ticket required: $35 online; $40 onsite)
  Under Western Skies
  Randy Rieman, Craig Carter, Andy Nelson, and Trinity Seely
  MC TBA

Sat., Feb. 21, 2026

• VETERANS Library of Congress Story Project: hours & location TBA
• Sat 7:30 – 8:30 am: Chuckwagon Breakfast (Poet's Grove, Kokernot Park) (ticket required: $10 online or onsite)
• Sat 8:30 am: The Mercantile opens (University Center, second floor)
• Sat 10:00 – 10:45 am: Free daytime sessions
  • Marshall Auditorium: Welcome to the Tribe
    Andy Wilkinson (host), Andy Hedges, and Maggie Rose Hedges
  • University Center Open: Let's Talk Poetry and Songwriting
    Joel Nelson (host) and guests
• Sat 11:00 – 11:45 am: Free daytime sessions
  • Marshall Auditorium: On Down the Trail
    Sandy Seaton Sallee (host), Chris Ryden, and Jenna Paulette
  • University Center Open: A Horse in the Middle
    Ross Knox (host) and Trinity Seely
  • Fine Arts: Youth Poetry Contest Winners
    Hosted by Elizabeth Baize and Karen McGuire
• Sat 12:00–1:00 pm: Grub Up! (lunch on your own)
• Sat 1:00 – 1:45 pm: Saturday Afternoon Show (Marshall Auditorium) (ticket required: $20 online, $25 onsite)
  Pards
  Brenn Hill and Andy Nelson
  MC TBA
• Sat 1:00 – 1:45 pm: Free daytime session
  • University Center Open: Ridin' and Packin'
    Chris Ryden (host), Sandy Seaton Sallee, and Ross Knox
• Sat 2:00–3:15 pm: Free daytime sessions
  • Marshall Auditorium: Between the Lines: Classic Cowboy Poetry
    Randy Rieman (host), Joel Nelson, Andy Hedges, and Ross Knox
  • University Center Open: Ranchy
    Andy Nelson (host), Daron Little, Matt Robertson, and Craig Carter
• Sat 3:30–4:45 pm: Saturday Late Afternoon Show (Marshall Auditorium) (ticket required: $25 online, $30 onsite)
  Cowboy Girl Spirit
  Jenna Paulette, Sandy Seaton Sallee, Maggie Rose Hedges, and Trinity Seely
  MC TBA
• Sat 3:30–4:45 pm: Free daytime sessions
  • University Center Open: The Wild Bunch
    Andy Wilkinson (host), Craig Carter, Daron Little, and Darrell Holden
  • Fine Arts: Open Mic
    Karen McGuire, MC
    sign up to perform
• Sat 5:30-7 pm: Cowboy Supper at the Civic Center, catered by Roux Alpine (ticket required: $33 advance; includes tax and tip; not available at door). Full menu TBA.
• Sat 7:30 – 9:45 pm: Saturday Night Show (Marshall Auditorium) (with intermission; ticket required: $45 online; $50 onsite)
  Hedges & Hill and Friends
  Andy Hedges and Brenn Hill
  Patrick Sullivan, MC