Word on the streets is that there have been some bad hombres slinkin’ around and causin’ mischief in these here parts! Sure enough, the local law’s caught word of it, too, and they’re lookin’ for a showdown. If my guess is right, it looks like things are gonna come to a head at Rattlesnake Ridge. Hide the little ones and women folk!
Shootouts between the good guys and the not-so-good guys were a very real part of the Wild West, one of the more exciting facets of our rough-and-tumble pioneer heritage. Bandera stakes a genuine claim to its role in cowboy history; it was the starting point of the Great Western Trail cattle drives, and many of its current residents are descendants of the rugged cowboys who took part in them.
As a result, Bandera is known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, and its nickname is well-earned! A visit here wouldn’t be complete without a Wild West gunfight between John Law and the guys in black hats. Bandera delivers in true cowboy fashion with the gunfights and comical skits that have made the Western Trail Gunfighters a popular draw for visitors. While the gunfights can be loud at times, the little ones and women folk are completely safe and welcome...as is everyone!
The Western Trail Gunfighters’ gunfights are a long-running tradition in Bandera, and a visitors’ favorite here, putting on two rootin’ tootin’ cowboy shootouts every Saturday at 10 AM & noon. Rascally outlaws and virtuous lawmen face off at “Rattlesnake Ridge” (also known as the Western Trail Heritage Park), at 415 Main Street in downtown Bandera.
The little cowboys and girls love the opportunity to mingle with the cowboys and learn about their colorful history, gun safety, and more. As a bonus, after each show the Western Trail Gunfighters will deputize all the young buckaroos in attendance with a star badge, and treat them to a voucher for a free Blue Bell ice cream cone at the Historic Bandera General Store located across the street. To say the young ones love it would be an understatement; it’s wonderful to watch their eyes light up in the company of genuine cowboys! Cowboys on Main embodies the spirit that makes Bandera the Cowboy Capital of the World!
The full cast contributing to the Cowboys on Main event is as follows:
* The Western Trail Gunfighters: these are the talented gunmen and entertainers who put on two gunfights shows every Saturday at 10 AM and noon.
* Kelly Scott: Kelly and his Chuckwagon create a great photo op for cowboy fans of all ages, and he’s an amazing storyteller, too!
* Ron Dakota: Ron offers horse-drawn wagon rides on the historic streets of the Cowboy Capital of the World.
* Wes Hatch and Redneck the Longhorn: These two are a crowd favorite! Redneck is a sweet, gentle giant, and the young ones can have their picture taken while sitting on his back.
Cowboys on Main takes place every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM, weather permitting; this is an outdoor event, after all! For more information, contact the Bandera Visitors Center at (830) 796-3045.
After Cowboys on Main, stick around Bandera for a while!
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