Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering Workshops
Workshops and presentations will be held at the Kittitas Valley Event Center Dance Hall on February 12 and 13 to highlight local people who keep alive the skills and spirit of the Western and Native Ways. The walls of the dance hall are decorated with western art and poetry from elementary schools in the area.
Workshop Schedule: open to the public at no charge
Friday, February 12th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday, February 13th 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Beading without a Loom:
Friday 11 am – 3 pm ~ Bob Best will demonstrate the skill and artistry of Native American beading without the use of a loom.
Bull Whip demonstrations and much more:
Friday 11 am - Noon and 4:30 - 5:30 pm, and Saturday 11 am - Noon ~ Bink Picard will discuss the history and development of stock whips, demonstrate techniques for crackin' the old whip, as well as sprinkle in some poetry, story telling, and singing in the company of his multi-talented quarter horse, Gus.
Cowboy Reunion:
Saturday 11 am - 12:30 pm ~ Join World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, National Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee, and Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame member Deb Copenhaver along with other Hall of Famers as they recollect stories, experiences, and memories of cowboying in the west and riding the rodeo
circuit.
Dance Lessons:
Friday and Saturday 7:30-8:30 pm ~ Join dance instructor Pam Scott to learn some fancy stepping the cowboy and cowgirl way. Learn the Western 2-step and Country Swing, or maybe dust off some other moves like the Cowboy Waltz and Cowboy 10-Step. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that will let your feet slide. Stay for the dance afterward and practice your newly learned skills.
Dutch Oven Cooking Downtown:
Saturday 11 am - 4 pm ~ at the Rotary Pavilion downtown on Pearl Street. The Columbia Basin Dutch Oven Society will present cooking demonstrations and serve samples of chili, stew, hamburger soup, cornbread, biscuits, and desserts, all prepared on-site using their incredible Dutch oven cooking techniques.
Dutch Oven Meal on Sunday:
On Sunday at the Dance Hall, Cascade Mountain Grilling will be cooking the Dutch oven meal for the Sunday concert. They will also be providing concessions Saturday and Sunday in the Dance Hall.
Horses and Humans:
Friday and Saturday 1-2 pm ~ Join Shannon King, certified instructor, trainer, clinician, and founder of Horse2Human, Inc. along with one of her personally trained horses as they share valuable tips and unique insights on the care and training of horses and their humans.
Kids Corral – A Fun Place for Kids to Hang Out:
Friday 10-11 am ~ Josephine Camarillo will offer a country story time along with special guest guitarist and singer Dave Lundy. Bring your little dudes and dudettes for the show!
Kids Cowboy Corral on Sunday:
Sunday 11 am - Noon ~ Join the CWU Rodeo Club for more western fun for kids following Cowboy Church. Learn to rope using a real lariat. There will also be a barrel pattern set for racing with stick horses and other fun activities.
Livestock Brands and Branding Methods:
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 3 pm ~ Staff from the Washington State Department of Agriculture will be on hand to discuss the history of livestock brands, how to read a stock brand, how to register your brand, and the important role that the State’s Livestock Identification Program plays today in protecting public and animal health.
Open Mic Sessions:
Friday 12:30-3:00 pm and Saturday 1-3 pm ~ The Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society sponsors this open mic event and encourages performers to present their talents on an open stage. Participants must follow the CRCHS Performance Standards and may sign up at the SWCG booth prior to the event.
Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society Performance Standards For all CRCHS Sponsored Events:
All events are family oriented, with nothing of a lewd, profane, or sexually oriented nature allowed. Be on time and be prepared to go on stage. Do not run over time allotted. Speak clearly so to be understood. Present one self professionally. If performing works by others, acknowledge the original author(s). Open Mic times will be allotted on a first come/first served basis. Every effort will be made to accommodate wishes of the performer. The Executive Committee of the Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society is solely responsible for establishment and interpretation of these Standards and Rules. All decisions by the Executive Committee or its designee are final. All performers must sign the Performance Standards Agreement before performing.
Pine Needle Baskets:
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 3 pm ~ Local weavers will display beautiful handmade baskets and demonstrate basket making with pine needles. They will have beginning baskets for you to try.
Quilting, Sewing, and Needlework:
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 3 pm ~ Quilters and other artisans will demonstrate their skills with cloth, needle, and thread. Learn to do quilting stitches on sample quilt blocks.
Spinning:
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 3 pm ~ Ace Fields and friends will demonstrate spinning on a treadle wheel, a small and a great wheel. Visitors have a chance to try out their spinning skills.
Wanapum Indians:
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 3 pm ~ Local tribes will demonstrate Native American crafts of tulle matt twining, hemp string twining, and beading.
Whiskey-Making in the Old West:
Friday 4-5 pm and Saturday 6:30 7:30 pm ~ Master Distiller Rusty Figgins, from The Ellensburg Distillery, will recount the history of whiskey making on the wild frontier, and will discuss whiskey folklore as well as the ingredients and methods used.
Whiskeys of the West Expert Guided Tasting:
Friday 4-5 pm and Saturday 6–7 pm ~ Join Master Distiller Rusty Figgins in the spirits corral for a no-host, expertly guided tasting of various whiskey styles. Have those boots warmed and ready to move when the dance lessons begin.
Women in Ranching:
Friday 11 am - Noon ~ Pull up a chair as Kittitas County ranch and farm women hold a kitchen meeting. Listen to the stories as these women tell the truth and tales about the life and business of a ranch from the female point of view. See if you can identify the instruments ranching women use to complete their daily chores.
Kittitas County Historical Museum at 114 E. 3rd Ave:
Friday and Saturday 10 am - 4 pm ~ The museum is a repository of Kittitas County history through historic artifacts, archival and photographic collections, and oral recollections of community members. From an Antique Doll Collection to Native American Bag and Basket Collection, visitors are certain to come across something of interest in the 9,000 square feet of display area.
CWU Rodeo Club and Kittitas County Roping Club at Bloom Pavilion in KVEC:
CWU Rodeo Club Practice, Jackpot Rough Stock Riding, and Kittitas County Roping Club at Bloom Pavilion in KVEC. Open to the public:
Saturday 11 am - 2 pm ~ Watch the CWU Rodeo Club members as they hone theirskills at barrel racing, roping.
Saturday 2 pm - 5 pm ~ Join the excitement of a jackpot rough stock riding competition. Come watch saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding; or put your entry fee down and test your own riding skills for a chance at the
jackpot.
Sunday 11 am - 4 pm ~ Catch the excitement as the Kittitas County Roping Club conducts its roping points competition.
