Every fall, the Fort Worth Stockyards celebrate cowboy culture and ranching life during the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Festival. It’s one of the biggest Fort Worth events of the year, where you’ll find yourself two-steppin' across the dance tent and digging into biscuits straight from a chuckwagon! The weekend is a tribute to the music, food, and stories that make Fort Worth what it is.
How It All Started
Back in 1991, Red Steagall had a simple idea: bring people together to celebrate the cowboy way of life. What started as a small shindig quickly turned into something much bigger than anyone expected. Today, the festival draws thousands every year and still holds onto the same spirit it began with: good people, good music, and a love for Western heritage.
Event Highlights
The festival is packed with events that celebrate the cowboy way of life.
At the Ranch Rodeo, you’ll see real working cowboys and cowgirls showing off their skills while taking part in some friendly competition. Teams from various ranches compete in events like Team Sorting, where they have to cut specific cattle from a herd, and Team Doctoring, where teams rope, stretch, and "treat" a steer. There’s also Stray Gathering, Wild Cow Milking, and Saddle Bronc riding.
At the Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, teams prepare meat, beans, bread, and desserts over open flames using 1880s techniques. While a panel judges the food, visitors can tour the camps, interact with cooks, and learn about traditional frontier cooking methods.
Dance the night away at the Western Swing Festival held at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall. With a lineup of talented performers and the toe-tapping rhythm of Western swing, it won’t take long before you’re out on the dance floor.
And if you’ve never heard cowboy poetry before, you’re in for a treat. These stories capture long days on the trail, unexpected ranch mishaps, and all sorts of Western grit.
Events for Kids at the Cowboy Gathering
Young bucks have a chance to shine in the Youth Fiddle Contest, where talented musicians compete for college scholarships in front of a live audience. While over at the Youth Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, aspiring cooks cook up a storm for judges! Stay tuned for more information on signing up as the date nears.
Join in on the Fun!
Choose from a variety of ticket options, depending on whether you want full access or just plan to swing by for a day. The Trail Boss Pass gets you into all the Ranch Rodeo events and daytime entertainment, or you can choose single-day options like the Friday Roundup, Saturday Saddle-Up, or Saturday Showdown.