Spirit of the West: Cowboy Gathering presents workshops at the Dance Hall on February 15 – 17 to highlight the local people that keep alive the skills and spirit of the western and Native ways. These events are open to the public at no charge.
Kittitas Valley Event Center (Fairgrounds) Dance Hall:
Beadwork and Beading:
Friday and Saturday from 11 am– 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am – 2 pm
Local crafters Bob Best and Cindy McMeans demonstrate beading without a loom. Come see the beautiful pieces they create.
Dance Lessons:
Friday and Saturday from 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Join Pam Scott to learn some fancy stepping the cowboy and cowgirl way. Learn the Cowboy Waltz, Cowboy 10-Step, Country Swing, or the Western 2-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:
Friday from 10 am - 8 pm, Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm Three Peaks Outfitters will be cooking and selling Dutch oven meals at the KCEV as well as serving the meal for the Sunday Dinner Show.
Kid’s Corral: A Fun Place for Kids to hang out!
Friday/ Saturday from 11 am - Noon & 4 pm – 5 pm, Sunday Noon – 2 pm
Check out the fun & games for the little cowpokes.
Josephine Camarillo is planning a Country Story time with special guest Dave Lundy. Bring your little “Dude” and “Dudette” for the show!
Brad Taylor and Lucy the horse will be around the Dance Hall for your entertainment on Saturday before and after lunch.
Open Mike Sessions:
Friday and Saturday from 1 pm – 3 pm
The Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society sponsors this open mike 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.
Performance Standards
For Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society 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 oneself 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 from 11 am– 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am – 2 pm
Local weavers will display beautiful hand made baskets and demonstrate basket making with pine needles. They meet at the Adult Activity Center every Thursday so ask about joining their classes.
Quilting, sewing, and needle work:
Friday and Saturday from 11 am– 5 pm
Thursday Quilters demonstrate their skills with cloth and needle.
Roping Skills:
Sunday from Noon - 2 pm
Join the Kittitas County High School Rodeo Club and learn to rope the dummy. They are also setting up barrels for racing with stick horses.
Spinning:
Friday and Saturday from Noon – 5 pm, Sunday from Noon – 2 pm
Terry Niles will demonstrate spinning on a treadle wheel and a great wheel. Visitors have a chance to try out their spinning skills on the great wheel.
Wanapum Indians:
Friday and Saturday from 11 am– 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am – 2 pm
Local tribes will demonstrate Native American crafts of tulle matt twining, hemp string twining, and beading.
Woven String Necklace:
Saturday from Noon – 5 pm, Sunday from Noon – 2 pm
Harry Hudlow demonstrates spinning a string to make a necklace. Bring a favorite pendants to add to the string to make your own special design.
Women in Ranching:
Friday and Saturday from Noon – 1 pm
Kittitas County Ranch and Farm women are planning a Kitchen Meeting at KVEC. 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.
Others
Dutch Oven Cooking Downtown:
Saturday from Noon – 5 pm
The Columbia Basin Dutch Oven Society will be presenting cooking demonstrations at the downtown Rotary Pavilion on. Stop by and sample some of the special products they have cooked up in the Dutch ovens.
Kittitas County Historical Museum:
114 E. 3rd Ave. Open Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm
Featuring Beatrice Aleck presenting “Wanapum/Yakama Tribe: Two Worlds” from 12:00 – 12:45. The museum is a repository of Kittitas County history through historic artifacts, archival and photographic collections, and oral recollections of community members. KCHM offers 9,000 square feet of display space where permanent and changing displays can be seen. From an Antique Doll Collection to Native American Bag and Basket Collection, visitors are certain to come across something of interest.