Bowie, Texas is a quiet town of 5,400 on the highways of US Route 287, Route 81 and Texas Highway 59, between Fort. Worth and Wichita Falls. But in the month of June 24, 26-30, Bowie, to whom the name of the Country was imposed, escapes alive as the town and its inhabitants return to the days when the West was wild.
In the past month of June, Bowie, Texas, has come to celebrate the Jim Bowie Days Festival and Rodeo. At night the porch is one
the largest amateur rodeo in Texas. Activities during the day include: parades, games for young and old (such as frog jumping and turtle racing), a
Rodeo Queen Contest, Bass Tournament, Quilt Show, Indian Artifacts Show, Car Show and lots of food and two- Blue Days Grass round-up
and the Chuck Wagon Cook-off.
History: The 41st annual Jim Bowie Days Rodeo, Parade, and Festival was sponsored by several area businessmen during an early morning coffee break. In the local Bowie drugstore back in 1967, ideas were kicked around about how people would come to Bowie. One comment turned into an idea that spawned a commission.
Along with groups like the Jim Bowie Saddle Club, which was the driving force behind the rodeo event, and the Bowie Chamber of Commerce, it became one of the most celebrated festivals in North Texas area
But, unlike today’s festivals, the Jim Bowie Days Festival had literally no money or sponsors. What you see today is the result of the mall/a> community, skill and a good, generous and generous field of work. volunteers! These traders began knocking on a few doors and talking to individual groups or groups of cattle in the village.
The event is the first Jim Bowie Day that began in 1967 with a festival, parade and rodeo complete with the first Miss Jim Bowie Days chosen by 18 contestants.
In a prestigious historic festival, it had notable figures such as Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, country singer Johnnie High, the world’s cowboy defender; Donnie Gay, a country music journalist, Floy Jones Case and Texas Congressman Joe Hanna as Grand Marshalls.
Old Traditions. Some traditions from the early days have disappeared over time. The beard growing competition did not shave men so that they could compete every year. The townspeople would also use the time to match the western theme.
Shaving clips were given to men who did not want to compete with makeup buttons given to women who had no intention of leaving their makeup to look more “accurate” in Western clothing. A silver and gold lapel pin in the shape of Bowie’s famous knife was also handed down.
Back then, the local police and directors of Jim Bowie’s days would stop the state cars and treat them not only to the parade and rodeo, but to a free night at a local hotel.
Even those traditions are past, Bowie’s Jim Bowie days, still maintains most of the activities, great food and fun events from the youngest to the young at heart.
June 26 and 27 is a youth rodeo that is held for those able-bodied and cowboys under the age of 19. There is also the Jim Bowie Championship Rodeo on June 28, which has everything from bronc riding and barrel to calf racing. emergency both Friday and Saturday night. This is one of the biggest draws with 5000 people attending the CHAMPIONSHIP rodeo in 2 days.
But for those who don’t like rodeos, they don’t compete. Because there is more to do, more to see, and more to eat than you think! It’s never boring in Jim Bowie’s days, I can assure you!
June 24
- 41st Annual Bowie Days Bass Tournament at Lake Amon Carter
June 29
- Kiddie Pet Parade
- Terrapin Races and Jumping Frog Competitions
- ’42’ Tournament-Lords who?
- Free admission to Pelham Park Lake
- Pioneer Reunion and Royal Coronation
- Days of the Jim Bowie Parade
- Hamburger Feed
- Bluegrass Roundtable Evening Concert which includes:
- Stella Canyon Band
- Concordia Albo
- Street Singers
- Digger Davis and the Mound
- The Duffin Family
- Cowboy Poetry and Storytelling
- Presentations of Mass Jim Bowie Day, Miss Jim Bowie’s Little Day, the Queen’s patron and her court, ASSP&RC; royal officers AND Tny Tot of the king and queen
- Muttin’ Bustin’ the vestibule in the fields
June 30
- Indian Crafts Show
- Ancient & Classic Car Show
- 2nd Annual Chuck Wagon Cook-off Expo and Navy Festival
- Children’s activities: egg toss, bingo, pitchforks, fish
- Staff horse barrel circuses & riding a wood bull fighting
- Chuck Wagon
- Horse pitch
- Free admission to Pelham Park swimming pools
- A beautiful baby with a fight
- Quilt show
- Skate board exhibition
- Tiny tot review
- Bluegrass roundup evening concert
If you don’t feel like you can take it all in one day, there are more than enough motels and B&B;’s in Bowie to fit the bill. If you’re traveling in your RV, don’t hesitate! There are 4 campground areas; one is located in Pelham Park for easy access to some of the festival activities.
In these days of haste through our occupations. It’s wonderful to go back to a time when the pace was slower and everything wasn’t just rushed and enjoyed and savored. Jim Bowie Days is like stepping back in time and remembering when not everything cost a fortune to have a good afternoon.
You will have a lifetime of wonderful memories after spending a day or two at the Jim Bowie Festival, Parade and Rodeo!
