Saddle up, vaqueros: the 13th Annual Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival rides into town Dec. 2-4 with a line up of some of the world’s very best cowboy poets and musicians.
Monterey has a rich Western heritage, and cowboy poetry – classic storytelling in rhyme and meter – is a folk art that dates back to the early cattle drives.
Things kick off Friday night at 7 pm with “Singing and Swinging” and run nonstop all weekend. There will be jam and open mic sessions (if you are longing to share)—and don’t miss the Sunday morning “Cowboy Church” to benefit the Salvation Army.
A special “Christmas Art and Gear” show, featuring antiques and collectables, custom tack and saddles, Western clothing, paintings, photography, and an array of crafts—from hand-tooled leather to engraved silver—runs concurrently.
All events take place at the Monterey Conference Center at One Portola Plaza. Festival passes are $220, and tickets are available for individual events. Giddyap!
