Celebrating the legacy of the cowboy, cowgirl and vaquero, the Briscoe Western Art Museum presents its annual National Day of the Cowboy celebration at the museum’s campus on the banks of the River Walk.
The free community event, which includes free admission to the museum and its exhibitions, features indoor and outdoor activities for cowpokes of all ages, with live music in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, a chuck wagon with tasty cowboy treats, artist demonstrations and hands-on arts, crafts, games, and more! Fun for all ages to enjoy, so mosey on down with your family and friends!
See what we’ve got planned!
Cowpoke Games & Crafts: Outfit yer’self in a bolo tie and spurs, try your hand at silversmith etching, make a stick pony and try out some barrel racing, learn how to rope and ride, herd some balloon animals, do a little bull riding, toss horseshoes, craft a cowhand puppet and more!
Lil Partners Reading Zone: Offering up cowboy tales. Sit a spell and enjoy a book reading with Emily Wilson, the Briscoe’s Curator of Art. Wilson’s children’s book, “Charlie Russell and the Gnomes of Bull Head Lodge”, crafts a modern fairy tale based on the life of Charles M. Russell, the namesake of The Sons of Charlie Russell exhibition. Stop by to learn the art of gnome-making so you can craft your own cowboy gnomes.
Storytime at the Stagecoach: Featuring the story of Mary Fields, the first African American woman stagecoach driver. For many years, Fields traveled the West with her pet eagle, never losing a single horse or package. Hear her story as Antoinette Lakey reads from “Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver”. A community leader, researcher, and dramatist, Antoinette Lakey currently serves as Artistic Director for Teatro Anansi, an organization with a mission to connect, celebrate and commemorate African American theatre, performing arts and history within the greater San Antonio community.
Rollin’ Texas Style Chuckwagon Cooking: Sample some tasty peach cobbler and vittles- beans cooked by Sandra Gammill-Julian of Rolling Texas Style Chuckwagon Cooking.
Cowboy Artists of America Demonstration: Western art is brought to life through a live sculpting demonstration by Jason Scull, one of the Cowboy Artists featured in The Sons of Charlie Russell.
Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Cowboy Demonstrations: Demonstrations of how to craft the essential tools of the cowboy trade by members of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association of saddle making, braiding and forging.
Cool Down Corral: Head up to the 3rd floor for a family friendly western themed film.
Roping Cowboys: Learn how to lasso like a pro.
Food: San Antonio’s award winning food truck Benjie’s Munch Truck
Band: Surrounded by the beauty of the garden’s fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery, kick back and soak in the sounds of West with live music throughout the day, including singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Clint Tomerlin & The Turnarounds
Volunteers needed for National Day of the Cowboy! Partner up with the Briscoe team and help with check-in, assist in arts and crafts, and lead activity stations during our annual celebration of the cowboy, cowgirl, and vaquero. Morning and afternoon shifts are available and all volunteers must be 18+ years old.
With events all around the country on the 4th Saturday in July, National Day of the Cowboy works to contribute to the preservation of America’s cowboy culture and pioneer heritage.
For more information contact:
Education & Programs Department
education@briscoemuseum.org
(210) 299-4499
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Governor Dolph Briscoe and his wife Janey envisioned a Museum that would preserve the stories and traditions of the American West.
