About UsThe Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering is second to none. We have nationally recognized Baxter Black, Dave Stamey, Riders in the Sky and many other songwriters and poets. Our gear fair hosts over 40 vendors from across the country. Works of art, custom leather products, felt hats and handmade boots are just a few of the booths available for your shopping pleasure. Our downtown venues provide the opportunity to stroll through beautiful Downtown Ellensburg while enjoying an array of music and scenery. Sit and enjoy with a glass of wine or warm cup of coffee.
Spirit of the West is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserve the "spirit of the cowboy". Our Stampede program provides the building blocks for our communities' youth to develop those traits that have defined the "cowboy" throughout history. Words like respect, hard work, kindness and integrity are utilized to provide examples of what is possible for our leaders of tomorrow. Grab a pair of gloves, pull on your boots, wrap up the kids and enjoy a weekend of music, poetry, food and authentic cowboy culture. Let us take you back to a simpler time when a handshake was a bond and time was something we spent with family and friends. |
Who We AreWith The Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering, Ellensburg is continuing its rich tradition of attracting major events, such as the nationally ranked Ellensburg Rodeo, The National Art Show (second only to Cheyenne), Jazz in the Valley (a huge mid summer success), and now The Spirit of the West.
Each year we attract over 4,000 visitors to hear well known entertainers like: Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Sons of the San Joaquin, Wylie and the Wild West, Cowboy Celtic and many more national and local entertainers. Ellensburg continues to be a popular destination city. And like Elko, The Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering is drawing attention from beyond our region, bringing old west aficionados and new devotees from Oregon, Montana, Idaho, California, British Columbia, and as far away as Maine, to name a few. |
Our HistoryThe Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering came to the Northwest for the first time in February of 2005. The event brought some of the best traditional cowboy musicians, poets, and artists together along with a gear show, workshops, and dances that incorporated the entire Historic Downtown of Ellensburg.
With The Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering, Ellensburg is continuing its rich tradition of attracting major events, such as the nationally ranked Ellensburg Rodeo, The National Art Show (second only to Cheyenne), Jazz in the Valley (a huge mid summer success), and now The Spirit of the West. |
Miss Spirit of the West
2018-2019
Faith Rotter
- A young woman who exemplifies and lives by the Code of the West.
- Gets her strength from knowing what is right and wrong and is true to her beliefs.
- Knows anything worth doing is worth doing well, encourages others to do the same.
- Teaches others about honor, truthfulness and the 8 principles of the Code of the West.
- Is a leader whose character holds true no matter what the circumstances may be.
- Believes in dedication, commitment and community involvement.
Cruse & Associates - Melissa Bergren-Evergreen Home Loans - Canyon River Ranch - Red's Fly Shop - Molly Morrow Photography - Teanaway Marketing Group - Dalton Signature - Arrow M Saddlery
Stampede School Program
Code of the West
The STAMPEDE Program focuses on character education and is structured around the "Code of the West".
It allows little buckaroos to express themselves artistically based on a common theme. The theme changes annually using the eight principles of the “Code of the West”. Participation awards will be given to each buckaroo who gets involved. And, there will be ribbons for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each level.
All the artwork and poetry will be displayed on Presidents' Day weekend at the Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering.
Entertainer Karen Quest joins the Stampede program for 2019 Spirit of the West's School Program.
Interactive high-energy Vaudeville-style cowgirl show with trick roping, whip cracking, music, magic and kooky cowgirl shenanigans, perfect for the whole family. Will perform at all kinds of events from corporate, private, fairs, festivals, libraries, birthday parties, or whatever you can cook up! Don't forget about Karen's cadre of 8-foot stilt characters - Lucky Starr, cowgirl, Frances the Farmer's Daughter, Grandma with her Giant Walker, Glamarama, Pegg Legg, Pirate Queen. Custom characters available on request.
Code of the West
The STAMPEDE Program focuses on character education and is structured around the "Code of the West".
It allows little buckaroos to express themselves artistically based on a common theme. The theme changes annually using the eight principles of the “Code of the West”. Participation awards will be given to each buckaroo who gets involved. And, there will be ribbons for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each level.
All the artwork and poetry will be displayed on Presidents' Day weekend at the Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering.
Entertainer Karen Quest joins the Stampede program for 2019 Spirit of the West's School Program.
Interactive high-energy Vaudeville-style cowgirl show with trick roping, whip cracking, music, magic and kooky cowgirl shenanigans, perfect for the whole family. Will perform at all kinds of events from corporate, private, fairs, festivals, libraries, birthday parties, or whatever you can cook up! Don't forget about Karen's cadre of 8-foot stilt characters - Lucky Starr, cowgirl, Frances the Farmer's Daughter, Grandma with her Giant Walker, Glamarama, Pegg Legg, Pirate Queen. Custom characters available on request.
2019 Poster Artist - Teddy Mae Weekes Charlton
Fine Art influenced with a rich rural lifestyle and a great aspiration for the outdoors.
TM Weekes Charlton was born in 1965 in Bismarck, ND. She grew up the youngest of seven in a cattle ranching family in southern North Dakota. In 1976 they moved to Ellensburg, WA to expand their registered show cattle business, this community allowed her art to flourish. Under the careful guidance and encouragement of Ms. Johnson at Kittitas High School, Teddy began school at Central Washington University (CWU) with Cynthia Krieble as an art advisor and professor; with extended influence by Central’s Art department.
During her college years she met and married her husband Mark, they began their cattle ranch and hay farm together just north of Kittitas, WA. Ms. Weekes Charlton graduated from CWU where she majored in Graphic Design and Fine Art with an emphasis in Oil Painting and their first born son on her hip. The business grew with their family of five. It wasn't unusual to find Teddy plein air painting with her children running, playing, and swimming nearby in the beautiful wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.
Teddy sees differently than most artists, as she applies a fine art application to images close to home; friends, and their horses & cattle. She is mostly known for her watercolors and oils, with pastel paintings also supporting her expanding body of work. In addition to special places in the valley, which include memories for her as a painter, a cattleman, an outdoorsman and as a mom; she paints locations from the Midwest to the outer western states.
Teddy’s discipline in “Plein Air” painting is to work outdoors, to paint directly from observation allowing you to capture “local” color and how the eye actually sees it, without lens distortion. Teddy captures the excitement of painting plein air, as her paintings fill your senses with rich color and broad strokes. She enhances her studio work with the knowledge acquired from Plein Air discipline.
It is her hope that her work encourages you to see these locations in person and also as a keepsake, a close reminder if you have experienced them as well. There is nothing like packing a lunch, a camera and fifty pounds of painting gear, to capture a moment in this beautiful life that is reflected anew each day.
Fine Art influenced with a rich rural lifestyle and a great aspiration for the outdoors.
TM Weekes Charlton was born in 1965 in Bismarck, ND. She grew up the youngest of seven in a cattle ranching family in southern North Dakota. In 1976 they moved to Ellensburg, WA to expand their registered show cattle business, this community allowed her art to flourish. Under the careful guidance and encouragement of Ms. Johnson at Kittitas High School, Teddy began school at Central Washington University (CWU) with Cynthia Krieble as an art advisor and professor; with extended influence by Central’s Art department.
During her college years she met and married her husband Mark, they began their cattle ranch and hay farm together just north of Kittitas, WA. Ms. Weekes Charlton graduated from CWU where she majored in Graphic Design and Fine Art with an emphasis in Oil Painting and their first born son on her hip. The business grew with their family of five. It wasn't unusual to find Teddy plein air painting with her children running, playing, and swimming nearby in the beautiful wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.
Teddy sees differently than most artists, as she applies a fine art application to images close to home; friends, and their horses & cattle. She is mostly known for her watercolors and oils, with pastel paintings also supporting her expanding body of work. In addition to special places in the valley, which include memories for her as a painter, a cattleman, an outdoorsman and as a mom; she paints locations from the Midwest to the outer western states.
Teddy’s discipline in “Plein Air” painting is to work outdoors, to paint directly from observation allowing you to capture “local” color and how the eye actually sees it, without lens distortion. Teddy captures the excitement of painting plein air, as her paintings fill your senses with rich color and broad strokes. She enhances her studio work with the knowledge acquired from Plein Air discipline.
It is her hope that her work encourages you to see these locations in person and also as a keepsake, a close reminder if you have experienced them as well. There is nothing like packing a lunch, a camera and fifty pounds of painting gear, to capture a moment in this beautiful life that is reflected anew each day.