Get Ready for National Day of the Cowboy

July is sneaking up on us more quickly than you might think. For the third year in 2007, America will celebrate the National Day of the American Cowboy. Mark July 28 on your calendar.

Western retailers have a built-in opportunity to capitalize on Day of the Cowboy. It's a natural way to draw people into your store. If your community isn't planning a celebration, plan one yourself.

If you want to know if your community is planning a celebration or if you want more details on how to celebrate National Day of the Cowboy, visit www.cowboyday.com.

I recently spent some time on this Web site looking at who was planning what. It made me want to be part of the celebrations.

Take the celebration planned at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, N.D. A full day of cowboy art, music, eating, dancing and demonstration si planned, along with wagon rides. If you've never visited Medora, make plans today to take the trip.

Having grown up in North Dakota, I have spent time in Medora and the Badlands. Not only is it filled with significant beauty (I know, I know ... you don't think of beauty when you think of North Dakota but trust me!) and a laid-back approach to life and its many facets. If you go, plan to take in the Medora Musical, a salute in word and song to Western traditions that were part of the founding of the town.

I was also impressed with the celebration being planned in Carrizozo, N.M., population about 1,000. On National Cowboy Day, the entire town and everyone they can recruit will celebrate with a genuine cattle round-up, parade, cattle exhibition, chuck wagon cooking and a stage show with Western music, story telling, poetry, rope twirling, a mustache contest and awards for oustanding local cowboys and cowgirls.

If I lived anywhere within driving distance of Carrizozo, I would make every effort to be part of this event. Come New Mexico-area readers, put it on your calendar.

Not too far away in Artesia, N.M., Bennie's Western Store will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary on National Day of the Cowboy. Waddie Mitchell, cowboy poet extraordinaire, will be on hand, along with local talent. Free food. Free entertainment and lots of great bargains in the store. You can't beat that combination.

You can visit the Web site yourself to see what's going on near you. If you can't find something, perhaps that's your cue to sponsor an event yourself. Let us know here at Tack 'n Togs if we can assist you in any way.