Big Bear Cowboy Gathering in Big Bear Lake, California

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One of the bummers about living in Dallas, Texas, is that it’s still largely misunderstood by the travel community. You watch your shows. You see the Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown visit Dallas and they strap her to a horse and parade her up downtown Dallas. Then they throw a cowboy hat on her and take her to a “traditional” Texas wedding where everybody has a humungous belt buckle and bolo tie. Then somebody shouts “Yee-haw!” and they all rustle up a mess of ribs.

That is not Dallas. That is a monstrosity. That is what some television producer from New York thinks Dallas should look like. And when they find locals to lead those “tours”, I feel ashamed.

That’s why I’m so happy to talk about the Big Bear Cowboy Gathering, a wholly unique celebration of cowboys and the rough-and-tumble frontier hosted in Big Bear Lake, California! You can have the cowboys, Cali. I’m headed to the sushi bar.

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The Big Bear Cowboy Gathering has got nothing if not pride in what they do. At this festival-like-thing, they don’t hold anything back. Like a beatnik café hosted by John Wayne, this is a place to hear authentic cowboy music, poetry and fireside stories for people who believe in the culture and live it for real.

The festival runs four days, August 20-23, and there’s plenty to see, do and enjoy: 

• A saloon piano concert
• Cowboy fashion show
• Costume contest
• Traditional ranch cuisine
• Tour of local filming locations
• Hollywood storytelling
• Lots of music
• Horse riding
• Gun fighting
• Western retail
• Movie screenings
• Cowboy church
• Line dancing
• Open mic poetry slam

Events are hosted throughout the Big Bear Lake area. While many are including in the regular admission price, certain events may have a separate ticket charge (usually indoor stuff). Read carefully when purchasing your tickets. Learn more about the 10^th Annual Big Bear Cowboy Gathering here.

Big Bear Lake is a cool year-round resort for anyone who likes a little outdoor fun. The only downside is that it’s a little congested with resorts. Fear not, we’ve done the hard work for you:

For resorts in Big Bear Lake, we again recommend the Northwoods Resort. The charming, Adirondack-inspired décor will get you in the mood for a little rustic fun from the moment you arrive. Pair that with the cowboy festival and you’re looking at an unforgettable weekend. Save with one of their many packages.

Have fun!

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Credit to whoever wrote the Big Bear Cowboy Gathering’s Web site. Committing one’s self absolutely is the sign of a true artist. Let’s catalog this vocabulary:

Y’all, rounding up, grub, smack dab, hoot n’ hollering, knee slappin’, dad gummed, round these parts, this is one rodeo, cuz, good ol’ fashion, giddy up, tucker out, little missy, rough riders, gun slinging, trinkets in your poke, buckaroos, dusty trail riders, purse strings, little filly, like a creek after a spring thaw, muster up, Stetsons, trail boss, ride into the sunset, yee-haw, hats off, gull darn, gall darn, gussied up, saddle up, cowboy up, rip roaring, leg slapping.

They also use “libation”, like, thirty times, but I don’t think that’s a cowboy word.

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