Show Must Go On
By Dick Perue
Dear faithful readers, again I ask for your indulgence; not to share another story of the loss of a loved one, but to plug one of Wyoming’s favorite cowboy poetry and music venues – the 20th Annual Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering, July 15-17, in Encampment.
However, this statement isn’t entirely true, since it will honor renowned Cowboy Poet Chuck Larsen, one of the founders of the event, who passed away earlier this year. Chuck was the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering’s first emcee and featured poet in 2002 and was scheduled to entertain again at the 20th celebration.
An earlier “Postcard” and obituary featuring Chuck was published in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. As Chuck would urge, the show must go on.
Stepping up to emcee the show and sing is another founding member – Steve Moulton. He will be joined on the outdoor stage in Grand View Park Saturday night, July 16, by Wyoming favorites Amy and Annie of Cheyenne; Poet and Singer Doc Mehl and Poet Floyd Beard, both of Colorado.
Featured during the three-day event will be an open mic show followed by the popular campfire jam session, Dutch oven cooking, songwriting workshop, grub, Western entertainment roundup featuring another dozen cowboy poets and musicians, honoring Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame 2022 inductees, presentation of pioneer award, tribute to Chuck Larsen and recognition of other founders, cowboy ranch breakfast and cowboy church.
All but the All-Star Show, Encampment/Riverside Lions lunch and breakfast are free.
Since its inception, the gathering has featured artwork by Wyoming artists. For the first three years, Gollings of Sheridan graced the promotional and advertising material. For the past 17 years, noted Western and Wildlife Artist R. G. Finney of Riverside has drawn and donated a framed painting which is raffled off to help pay for the gathering.
Keep up the good work at one of Wyoming’s best weekly newspapers – gratefully, Dick Perue, Wyoming Press Hall of Fame inductee and former award winning weekly newspaper man, plus “Postcard of the Past” columnist for the past dozen years.
