What is the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering?

“The Gathering” is a week-long coming-together of people rooted in the poetry, music, and arts of cowboy country. It is a delightful, immersive experience for those who appreciate the rural West’s boundless creativity. It is an open-hearted occasion to forge connections and grow knowledge among, and with, people who live life on the land. It’s a mid-winter, multigenerational, merrymaking event full of ranch-y folk and ranch-y food, art, gear, film, discussions, dance, music, verse, and more. It is the place to talk cowboy poetry. And, it’s a darn good time for all!

First produced in 1985, by a small group of folklorists and poets, the Gathering has grown into a national and international happening. Expect a full week of entertaining and educational programs highlighting cultural expression of the rangeland West. And, expect an atmosphere ripe for spontaneous “you couldn’t dream this stuff up if you tried” moments. If you do it right (and there’s really no way to do it wrong), you’ll listen, you’ll laugh, you’ll reflect, you’ll connect, you’ll learn, you’ll cavort, you’ll live tradition, and you’ll leave refreshed in the creative possibility of the West.

Where does the Gathering take place?

In the high-desert cowboy town of Elko, Nevada!

At the corner of Railroad and Idaho streets lies the heart of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering—the Western Folklife Center (WFC), headquartered in the historic Pioneer Hotel building. Here, you’ll find Gathering shows, exhibits, shopping, and probably a new friend or two at the Pioneer Saloon.

The hubbub doesn’t stop here. The WFC also hosts Gathering shows, workshops, dances, films, vendors, food, and carousing in multiple venues around town, including the hotspots of the Elko Convention Center and Conference Center.

Tell me more about the main show venues?

G Three Bar Theater at the Western Folklife Center
An iconic, sought-after, historical, 300-seat venue. Drinks permitted. Cushioned metal row chairs (and a primo dance floor underneath). Open seating, with premium pre-seating ticket option available to WFC members.

Laurena Moren Theater at the Elko Convention Center
The auditorium-style, “big stage,” 900-seat venue. Food and drink not permitted. Assigned seating—see more information about seat assignments.

Elko Convention Center and Conference Center rooms
Breakout rooms for daytime sessions, named after Nevada metals and gems.
Open seating. Occupancy varies. These are not “standing room” venues. Once seats are filled, these rooms follow a “one out, one in” system—see more info.

Accessibility
Assisted-listening devices are available in the Elko Convention Center Auditorium and the G Three Bar Theater at the Western Folklife Center. Wheelchair seating is limited—get your tickets early. Volunteers will be available to assist wheelchair users and to guide visitors with disabilities. If you need assistance, please call 775-738-7508 to pre-arrange these services. Unfortunately, shuttle vans are not equipped with lifts.

It’s my first time at the Gathering. What do I need to know?

Here are some tips for the ultimate first-time experience:

• Check out a prior year’s program book and schedule. Artists and activities change yearly, but these will give you a sense of what to expect.

• Become a member of the Western Folklife Center—get a free ticket to a members’ show, a discounted 3-Day Deluxe Pass, pre-seating options, and access to special ticket pre-sales (shows have been known to sell out).

• Buy your tickets for evening shows. Don’t forget your 3-Day Deluxe Pass for access to dozens of daytime performances Thursday through Saturday.

• Sign up for a workshop! Craft western gear, cook delicious food, do a new dance step, write poetry, and more.

• Wander the Wiegand Gallery and the special exhibits.

• Share your talents in a poetry or music Open Mic.

• Volunteer.

• Bring a friend! Or come solo! Plenty of friends to be made at the Gathering.

Oh, and, check the weather.

There’s so much to do! How do I decide?

Over the course of a week, the Gathering features more than 40 artists and dozens of events in seven Elko venues. How do you get your bearings?

During the early week (Mon-Wed), you’ll find daytime workshops and one show each evening. Come early, get your sagebrush-sea legs under you, learn a new skill, enjoy an intimate G Three Bar Theater show, and get a taste of local Elko flavor.

During the three main days of the Gathering (Thurs-Sat), things really ramp up. The mainstage show on Wed. evening and the keynote speaker on Thurs. morning kick off three full days and nights of poetry and music performances, talks, films, demos, art, dances, workshops, tours, exhibitions, and more.

Before you arrive:

• Keep an eye on the evolving lineup and schedule (usually finalized mid-January, last-minute additions are not unheard of)

• Download the Gathering schedule app to help plan your days

• Purchase tickets for any workshops and shows you don’t want to miss

When you arrive:

• Have the Pioneer Saloon staff pour you a libation (or a sarsaparilla)

• Pour over the official Program Book and Schedule—grab one at the Ticket Booth or the Gift Shop—dog-ear some pages, heart some events on the schedule app, plan a visit to the ticket booth, and…

• Ask the person next to you what they’ve got on the agenda!

How do I meet people?

Introduce yourself! Artists, staff, and audience alike are friendly and eager to share their favorite parts of the Gathering with new people. Sign up for a hands-on workshop. Become a WFC member and attend members’ events. Grab your fiddle, guitar, washboard, flute, accordion, or whathaveyou to jam the late evenings away. Take a spin around the dance floor with a new partner. Or simply sidle up to the bar. The Gathering’s reputation as warm-hearted is well-earned. It’s easy to strike up new acquaintances. No matter who you are or where you come from, you’re likely to find good company at the Gathering.

I’ve heard it’s expensive. Is this true?

It’s true that getting to Elko and staying for the Gathering can be an undertaking. It’s also true that there are options to fit different budgets.

Some tips:

• Are you…

  a working cowboy?
  a member of a ranch family?
  a person age 15 to 35?
  a WFC member?
  bringing a first-timer to the Gathering with you?

If you answered yes to any of these, see your discounted ticket options.

• Book discounted rooms at hotels that support the Gathering (see below).

• A day pass packs a big punch at a lower price point! See your favorite performers in smaller, more intimate daytime sessions. With as many as forty events per day of poetry, music, storytelling, exhibits, demos, open mics, and films, a daypass gives you plenty of options.

• Sign up for the WFC newsletter email list for notifications of special offers.

• Mingle at the Western Mercantile, enjoy the Wiegand Gallery, join a jam session, or strike up a conversation and keep your pennies in your pockets.

• Volunteer! Whether you’re local to Elko or visiting from out-of-town, you’d be a welcome Gathering volunteer. Volunteers are often first in line for any available comp tickets, day passes, or special opportunities. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends and contribute to the Gathering.

We know attending the Gathering is an investment for many of you. Thank you for choosing to spend your money on tickets, passes, and WFC memberships. Your purchases support the WFC’s mission and our ability to have the Gathering every year. And, your purchases at other local establishments support the people of Elko. We thank you for being here!

What will I find at the Gathering?

The Gathering celebrates the creative richness of cowboy and ranch life. If you’ve ever cowboyed for a living, or even lived cowboy-adjacent, you’re practically guaranteed to find the Gathering a compelling experience. But, even if you don’t know your hackamores from your mecates, you’re sure to find something of interest at the Gathering. There’s a reason the event lands on so many peoples’ “bucket lists”—it draws open-minded, open-hearted characters who share the joys and realities of a life on the land. Everyone from cowboys and saddlemakers, to insurance salespersons and plumbers, that all share a mutual admiration, respect, and dedication to what the West was, is, and will be. It’s a chance to engage with the substance, nuance, and soul of what it means to “cowboy,” whether you’re cowboy or not. And, while there are as many ways to “be” cowboy as there are cowboys, one thing we can say—to be cowboy is to be human. No matter who you are, you’ll find humanity at the Gathering.