Bowie, Texas is a quiet town of 5,400 located in the crossroads of U.S. Highway 287, U.S. Highway 81 and Texas Highway 59, between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. But during June 24,26-30, Bowie, which has been given the name of ‘Cattle Country’, becomes alive as the town and its inhabitants revert back to the days of when the West was wild.
During the last weekend of June, Bowie, Texas, comes alive with the festivities of Jim Bowie Days Festival and Rodeo. The nightly Rodeo is one of
the largest amateur rodeos in Texas. Daytime activities include: parades, games for young and old (such as frog jumping and turtle racing), a
Rodeo Queen Contest, Bass Tournament, Quilt Show, Indian Artifact Show, Car Show and lots of food and a two-day Blue Grass Round-up
and Chuck Wagon Cook-off.
History: The 41st annual Jim Bowie Days Rodeo, Parade, and Festival was conjured up by several area businessmen during an early morning coffee break. At the local Bowie Drug back in 1967 ideas were kicked around about how to get people to come to Bowie. One comment turned into an idea which gave birth to a committee.
Along with groups such as the Jim Bowie Saddle Club, who was the driving force behind the rodeo for the event, and the Bowie Chamber of Commerce, it has become one of the most popular festivals in the North Texas area.
But, unlike festivals of today, the Jim Bowie Days Festival had literally no money or sponsors. What you see today is the result of small town community, ingenuity and plain ol’ hard work of good hearted and generous volunteers! This handful of businessmen began knocking on doors and talking at every club or group in the then small cattle town.
The result was the first Jim Bowie Days that began in 1967 with a festival, parade and rodeo complete with the first Miss Jim Bowie Days being chosen from 18 contestants.
During the festival prestigious history, it has had notable figures involved such as Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe , country singer Johnnie High, world champion cowboy, Donnie Gay, pioneer country music journalist, Floy Jones Case and Texas Congressman, Joe Hanna, as Grand Marshalls.
Traditions of the Past. Some traditions from the early days have disappeared through time. The beard-growing contest would have men not shaving just so they could compete each year. The townspeople would also wear period outfits befitting the western theme.
‘SHAVE’ buttons would be given to men who didn’t want to compete while cosmetic buttons were given to the women who had no intention of giving up their make-up to look more ‘accurate’ in the wearing of the western clothing. Silver and gold lapel pins in the shape of the famous Bowie knife were also handed out.
Back then, the local police and directors of the Jim Bowie Days would stop an out-of-state cars and treat them not only to the parade and rodeo but to a free night at a local hotel.
Even those those traditions are past, Bowie’s Jim Bowie Days still maintains plenty of activities, great food and fun events from the youngest to the young-at-heart.
June 26 and 27 is the youth rodeo which is held for those cowboys and cowgirls under the age of 19. There is also the Jim Bowie Days Championship Rodeo, on June 28-30, that has everything from bronco riding and barrel racing to the calf scramble both Friday and Saturday night. This is one of the largest draws with 5000 people attending the Championship rodeo in 2 days.
But for those who aren’t interested in rodeos, do not fret. Because there are more things to do, more things to see and more food to eat than you could imagine! There is never a boring moment at Jim Bowie Days, I can assure you!
June 24
- 41st Annual Jim Bowie Days Bass Tournament at Lake Amon Carter
June 29
- Kiddie Pet Parade
- Terrapin Races and Frog Jumping Contests
- ’42’ Tournament-Dominos anyone?
- Free Admission to the Pelham Park swimming pool
- Pioneer Reunion and Royalty Crowning
- Jim Bowie Days Parade
- Hamburger Feed
- Bluegrass Roundup Evening Concert which includes:
- Star Canyon Band
- Whitehouse Harmony
- The Village Singers
- Digger Davis and Tombstone
- The Duffin Family
- Cowboy Poetry and Story Telling
- Presentations of the Miss Jim Bowie Days, Little Miss Jim Bowie Days, the Pioneer Queen and her court, AASP&RC; officers and royalty AND the Tiny Tot King and Queen
- Muttin’ Bustin’ at the rodeo grounds
June 30
- Indian Artifact Show
- Antique & Classic Car Show
- 2nd Annual Chuck Wagon Cook-off Exposition and Bluegrass Festival
- Children’s Activities: egg toss, bingo, washer pitch, balloons
- Stick horse barrel races & stick bull riding contest
- Chuck Wagon meal
- Horseshoe pitch
- Free admission to Pelham Park swimming pool
- Beautiful baby contest
- Quilt show
- Skate board exhibition
- Tiny tot review
- Bluegrass roundup evening concert
If you don’t feel as if you can take that all in on one day, there are more than enough motels and B&B;’s in Bowie to fit the bill. If you come traveling in your RV, no problem! There are 4 area campgrounds; one is on the Pelham Park site for easy access to some of the festival activities.
In these days of speeding through our busy lives. It is wonderful to return to a period when the pace was slower and everything was not just rushed through and enjoyed and savored. Jim Bowie Days is like stepping back in time and remembering when not everything cost a fortune just for an enjoyable afternoon.
You will have a lifetime of wonderful memories after spending a day or two at the Jim Bowie Days Festival,Parade and Rodeo!
