Cowboys relived the tradition of a rancher’s lifestyle last weekend at the Ponoka Legion June 21 and 22 during two days of poetry and country western music.
The weekend was an opportunity for poets, wordsmiths and country western musicians to tell the story of country living from a first-hand perspective. Organizers Reg Rust and Mel Skaar said the Cowboy Music and Poetry event this year was a fundraiser for different community groups.
Skaar says he organizes four or five events like this per year at the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre and enjoys hearing artists present their original and covered work. “It’s nothing but classic country.”
He hosts the events to keep the genre alive.
Rust says much of the poetry and music takes a lighthearted approach to western living; even with serious issues, there is a touch of laughter. “That’s the big thing because you’ve gotta laugh.”
This is the seventh year of the Cowboy Music and Poetry weekend and while numbers were down from last year, the event still raised enough money to ensure groups like the Wheelchair Van Society and the Lending Cupboard would be able to receive funds.
A silent auction with donations from local businesses also helped.
“That brought in a big chunk of change, too,” said Skaar.
Organizers are looking for a younger group of organizers to help bring in new ideas for the event.
“We would sure like to see some young people take a hold,” said Rust.
He feels a younger group will be able to draw a new crowd to keep this style country western music and poetry alive.