Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival

December 10-12, 2010

For twelve years, cowboys, cowgirls and their fans have been gathering in Monterey, the place where the Old West began, for the country's greatest "ode-down": the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, from December 10 through 12!

The Festival provides guests with three days of the finest in cowboy arts. You'll hear everything from musical performances to storytelling and live poetry, get the chance to bid in a live auction, and be able to pick up plenty of cowboy art and gear just in time for Christmas!

Performers

You can catch poetry from Dennis Agajanian, Richard Chon, Cowbop, Juni Fisher, R.W. Hampton, Joni Harms, SideSaddle & Co., Ernie Sites, Dave Stamey, Wylie & the Wild West, and Ian Tyson. For a complete schedule visit the Cowboy Poetry's official website.

Activities

Between poetry and musical performances, shop for the holidays at the Art & Gear Show. Find a one-of-a-kind treasure at Saturday's silent auction. Sunday's Cowboy Church gives guests the chance to worship with a Western accent.

Monterey County Cowboy Culture

Cowboy culture in Monterey County doesn't end on December 12th. While Carmel may be known for its shopping and fine dining, it's also home to the historic Mission Ranch Resort; this former working farm still has plenty of Western flavor, but is loaded with creature comforts.

Want to ride the open ranges? Though it was built in the 20th century, Holman Ranch is packed with country charm, and their stables will let you be a cowboy for a day. Want an even more authentic feel? Stay in the Salinas Valley at Barlocker's Rustling Oaks Ranch, which was until recently a working cattle ranch and provides both horses to ride and beds in which to rest your saddle-weary bones.

The most authentic cowboy experience can be found in Parkfield, where visitors can actually join in on an authentic cattle drive and learn every skill a cowboy needs. The Parkfield Inn, located at the V6 Ranch, will give you a comfortable place to rest your head if you find yourself plumb tuckered out after a day on the range! They even play host to a rodeo every May.

The biggest rodeo around, however, is July's annual California Rodeo Salinas, one of the most prestigious stops on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit. Over 700 cowboys and cowgirls compete for over $250,000 in prize money. The California Rodeo Salinas celebrates its centennial this year with a truly epic list of events.

Other riding workshops and cowboy festivals take place throughout the area the whole year 'round. Looking to get your boots dusty? You can't find a better place than Monterey County!