© National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo 2015
What is the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo?
The Stage
Cowboy and Cowgirl Poets will “ride” against each other on-stage performing their best cowboy poetry which will be judged by a panel of five (5) judges, throwing out the high and low scores for a total score in each category. There will be two go-rounds with an average as in rodeo and their average scores will determine the Champions. The Cowboy Poetry Rodeo is an event, fashioned after a stock rodeo, designed to pit the skills of one cowboy poet against the others, all having paid an entry fee to compete for prize money, trophy buckles and awards, with an ultimate goal to help further develop the talents for both stage presence and writing styles, all at the same time to provide an entertainment value to the audience.
The Mission
Encourage “fair” poets to become good and “good” poets to become even better, all with an entertainment value for spectators and other competitors alike.
The Challenge
To apply fairness and consistency in judging the skills with a result of choosing the best performers through a cowboy poetry competition, while offering payback, prizes and fun.
Our Goals
To bring to Abilene, Kansas, one of the most historic cow towns that exists, the Central Kansas Free Fair, and to the wildly famous Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo, yet another facet of the cowboy and entertainment world, the one and only National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo competition and the Chisholm Trail Western Music Show.
Event Dates
To be held August 2 & 3, 2019, during the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo and Central Kansas Free Fair.
Event Location
Judging/Competition Event: The competition is scheduled to be held in the beautifully rennovated and historic Shockey & Landes building owned by John and Mary McDonald of Abilene, Kansas. John and Mary and Rawhide Portable Corrals are GOLD level sponsors of the event. We are thrilled to be able to host this event here which is located in the historic district of Abilene, Kansas and is near Old Abilene Town, the Greyhound Hall of Fame, the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum and much, much more. Contestants will be competing before a panel of 5 judges throughout the day on Friday and Saturday followed by a stage show on the competition stage at the Shockey and Landes Building, 324 N. Broadway, Abilene, Kansas, on Saturday afternoon followed by the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo. Entertainment at the Fairgrounds: As part of the program, we would like to be able to offer various stage shows in and around Abilene during the competition with cowboy poetry and western music entertainment inviting well-known western music artists to perform. One of the opportunities for the contestants is to WIN their spot on the stage to perform their winning cowboy poetry. Things to Do and See in Abilene, Kansas: •Seelye Mansion •Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum •Greyhound Hall of Fame •Jeffcoat Photography Museum •Kansas Auto Racing Museum •The Heritage Center
Costs of Event/Sponsorships
If you are interested in your business being a part of this event, please contact us. We anticipate a great response and increased amount of spectators, contestants, family members and other event goers to participate in the event.
