Visitors to the Ozarks see the beautiful scenery and the abundant wild life. They hear music performed out in the open air. Small shops featuring handmade crafts show up around many bends in the road. But one Ozark tradition that is not well known is that of the cattlemen and women. 

Cowboys were drawn to the Ozarks in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s by cheap land, low taxes, abundant water and good grass. When they came, they found their neighbors had a rich tradition of songs, “ballets” similar to the cowboy songs and poetry from the West. Famous cowboy balladeers such as Glenn Ohrlin, Jim McElroy and Hubb Willis have called the Stone County Arkansas area home. 

In honor of this tradition, and to discover the new cowboy poets of the Ozarks today, the Ozark Folk Center is hosting a Cowboy Poetry Contest on Friday, August 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the White Oak Auditorium. This contest is low-key and fun. Perform your own original poems, or bribe your friends to read your poetry for you. Winners will receive lots of applause and have the chance to perform their poems at the Dutch Oven Cooking Competition on Saturday, August 8.

Both these contests are part of the Cowboy Gathering weekend, which includes performance by cowboy poets in the Craft Village throughout the day on Friday. That evening the Quebe Sisters will be performing in the large theater at the Ozark Folk Center. Tickets to this special concert are $12.00. 

On Saturday, August 8, Michael Martin Murphy will be performing at the Ozark Folk Center. Tickets are $25.00 and are selling fast. 

For information or to enter either the Cowboy Poetry Contest or the Dutch Oven Cooking Competition, call the Ozark Folk Center at 870-269-3851.