The 21st Annual Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Old West Days was held in Valentine, NE, on Oct. 4-7. The kick-off bar-b-que was held on Thursday, Oct. 4, and was followed by a near sell-out crowd at the first performance of the melodrama “Hillbilly Hankering” sponsored by the Valentine Area Arts Council and The Valentine Players.

Daytime Poetry and Music Sessions commenced at 9 p.m. on Friday with “round-robin” sessions changing on the hour. These sessions were free to the public and were well attended. The Old West Days Trade Show commenced at 10 a.m. with over 30 vendors present, most with a western theme.

The first paid performance was on Friday evening with a near capacity crowd. The second and third paid performances were on Saturday afternoon and evening with, again, near capacity crowds.

Featured performers were Jill Jones / 3 Hands High, Driftwood, TX; Randy Huston and Randy’s daughter Hanna, Cuervo, NM;

GeorgeannWearin, Cheyenne, WY; Rodney Nelson, Sims, ND; Jess Howard, Wibaux, MT; Bob Pettermann, Wibaux, MT; Rick Buoy, Ainsworth, NE, and Mike Baxter, Ainsworth, NE.

Old West Days concluded on Sunday with a trail ride at the scenic Heartland Elk Guest Ranch near Sparks, NE.

The date for the 22nd gathering is yet to be determined.