All American Quarter Horse Congress
Oct. 1-24
Columbus, Ohio
740-943-2346, oqha.com
Columbus is horse country in October. Home to the largest single-breed horse show in the world, the All American Quarter Horse Congress draws an estimated 650,000 people during three weeks of shows and events. Only 5,000 people showed up when the event began 44 years ago. Today’s attendees own an average of 7.6 quarter horses each, and more than 17,000 total are entered in the event.
Feb. 25-28
Pigeon Forge Saddle Up!
Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
800-251-9100, mypigeonforge.com
April 16-18
Midwest Horse Fair
Madison, Wis.
920-623-4322, midwesthorsefair.com
April 14-17
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association National Championship
Tunica, Miss.
480-683-0485, cowboymountedshooting.com
May 28-29th
John Wayne Birthday Celebration
Winterset, Iowa
877-462-1044, johnwaynebirthplace.org
June 12–20 and 24–26
Nebraskaland Days
North Platte, Neb.
308-532-7939, nebraskalanddays.com
June 18–19
Wild Bill Days
Deadwood, S.D.
605-578-1876, deadwood.org
June 26–27
Gene Autry Days
Kenton, Ohio
419-673-4131, hardinohio.org
Oct. 26–30
National Barrel Horse Association World Championships
(Location to be announced)
706-823-3728, nbha.com
July 15–18
Oregon Trail Days
Gering, Neb.
308-436-4457, oregontraildays.com
July 24
National Day of the American Cowboy
Nationwide and international observances
cowboyday.com
Celebrate the American Cowboy during this Senate-sanctioned holiday, with events held nationally and internationally.
July 27–31
Days of ’76 Rodeo
Deadwood, S.D.
888-838-2855, daysof76.com
July 30–Aug. 8
Dodge City Days
Dodge City, Kan.
(620) 227-3119, dodgechamber.com
A rodeo, craft show, and barbecue contest make this event perfect for families.
Sept. 11–Oct. 30
National Harvest Festival
Branson, Mo.
800-475-9370, silverdollarcity.com
Sept. 17–19
Spirit of the West Festival
Sioux Falls, S.D.
605-334-9202, spiritofthewestfestival.com
Celebrate Western history and culture with three days ofre-enactments, cook-offs, and music.