And yet cowboys aren’t exactly known for their flowery prose. That’s probably why poetry has been a part of the cowboy lifestyle for as long as cowboys have been riding the range. 

Experience this hidden secret of the West firsthand at the Western Stars Cowboy Poetry Gathering on February 15-17, 2008 in Moab, Utah.

Cowboy poetry has always been a way for those who live and work in the west to express how they feel - think of it as a modified version of soldiers chanting as they march, with language that could only come from a life lived on the open range peppered throughout. The poetry has evolved to reflect the times — from early poems in the 1800s about whiskey or the open range to more contemporary poems that often reflect popular culture and modern cowboy life. In addition to poetry, the event will feature something for every age — from music to barrel racing, a cooking contest and square dancing, western art, vendors, workshops and lectures.

The event begins on Friday, February 15, 2008 with an opening evening performance featuring some of Utah’s best Western performers, like Ray Lashley, Peggy Malone and Paul Bliss. Saturday’s highlights include an opportunity to lunch with one of America’s most well known cowboy poets, performer Michael Martin Murphey. He is best known for his song “Wildfire” and is the author of New Mexico’s state ballad. He will also be performing at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Cliffs Lodge on Saturday night.  Sunday’s events include a Dutch oven cooking contest, where contestants will have two hours to prepare and cook their entry cowboy-style (using a Dutch oven) in one of three categories: entrée, side dish, or dessert. Participants must supply their own Dutch oven, cooking utensils, and ingredients - the contest organizers will provide the fire pans and charcoal. Judges will have 30 minutes to taste and judge each dish. Cooking begins at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 17. The evening wraps up with a Cowboy Campfire Concert at 7:00 p.m.

Make sure to buy your tickets early, as the small, intimate venues sell out quickly. A weekend pass, good for admission to all events held at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (except for Michael Martin Murphey’s Saturday evening performance), is available for $75. Discounts are available for members of the Moab Arts and Recreation Center. Visit MoabWesternStars.com to purchase a weekend pass, tickets for individual events, or for more information on the 2008 Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

The Moab Information Center provides complete information on the events, activities and lodging available during President’s Weekend. Visit it online at DiscoverMoab.com. The Moab Area Travel Council maintains the website to provide visitors to the Moab area with the most current, up-to-date information on what to see, what to do, where to stay and what to know.