The Stockyards Awaits: Your Invitation to the Authentic Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering

Fort Worth, Texas – Can you smell the woodsmoke, hear the fiddle, and feel the dust of a real ranch rodeo? Your chance to step out of your routine and directly into the most vibrant traditions of the West is waiting. For three days, October 24-26, the Fort Worth Stockyards will be fully alive with the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering. Come and taste the authentic chuck wagon cuisine, stomp your feet to the Western Swing, and let the sheer, raw beauty of the cowboy culture wash over you. This weekend promises a rich sensory immersion that will change the way you see the American heritage.

Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering
October 24-26, 2025
Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Find Your Authentic Western Soul

Gather your entire circle – family and friends – for the one weekend where shared, genuine joy is guaranteed. You’ll all instantly step back into a richer, more authentic time, beginning with the mouth-watering Chuck Wagon Cook-Off. Whether your group is captivated by the intense nightly Ranch Rodeo, moved by soulful Cowboy Poetry, or ready to kick up their heels at the lively Western Swing Dances, there’s a deep, authentic experience for every age. Create a powerful, collective memory of heritage and excitement that will have your loved ones talking – and planning – for next year.

“Folks from all over the United States come to our gathering to see what Fort Worth and the Western lifestyle is all about. They leave with a new understanding that it’s about the people, the heritage, the traditions and the values that we treasure.”

-Founder, RSCG, Red Steagall

Decades-Old Tradition

Imagine a dream so powerful it has shaped Western culture for over three decades. That’s the legacy of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, founded by a passionate group in 1991 right where it belongs: the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. From its earliest days, the goal was simple but profound: to fiercely preserve Western heritage, from the quiet dignity of the open range to the thrilling action of the rodeo. Today, the Gathering remains the definitive destination event, guaranteeing you a pure, authentic connection to the cowboy culture that continues to define and inspire the American spirit.

“When you’re out in the vastness of the West Texas plains and depending on each other for survival, you learn from a very early age how to take care of other people, be kind, be responsible and be respectful. That’s the cowboy way of life that I love and I adore.”

-Founder, RSCG, Red Steagall

Sights, Sounds, & Soul

You are invited to join an audience that spans the globe, all united by a passion for the authentic West. Your family and friends will find their perfect moment, whether it’s the heart-pounding action of the ranch rodeo, the deeply moving entertainment value of poetry, or the sheer joy of dancing to Western swing music. By stepping into the sights, sounds, and smells of the chuckwagon camp, you validate your shared desire for genuine culture, making this a fun-filled Western weekend that everyone will instantly feel a part of.

At-A-Glance Schedule

October 24
Noon: Chuck Wagon Arrival @ Fort Worth Stockyards, Exchange Ave
12:15 PM: Exclusive Viewing “The Birth & History of Western Swing” @ Tannahill’s
3:30 PM: Cowboy Music & Poetry @ Tannahill’s
7:30 PM: Ranch Rodeo @ Cowtown Coliseum
9 PM: Western Swing Festival @ Tannahill’s

October 25
8 AM: Tejas Vaqueros/Ranchero Vistadores Team Roping @ Kerry Kelley Arena, Weatherford, Texas
9:45 AM: Cowboy Music & Poetry @ Tannahill’s
10 AM: Texas Trail of Fame Induction Ceremony @ Livestock Exchange Building Front Steps
10 AM: Youth Fiddle Competition @ Billy Bob’s 81 Club
1:30 PM: Ranch Rodeo @ Cowtown Coliseum
7:30 PM: Ranch Rodeo Finals @ Cowtown Coliseum
9 PM: Western Swing Festival @ Tannahill’s

October 26
10 AM: Cowboy Church & Singing @ Tannahill’s
10 AM: Youth Chuck Wagon Cookoff @ Livestock Exchange Lawn
11:30 AM: Cowboy Brunch with Red Steagall @ Tannahill’s
4:30 PM: Head ‘Em Out: Chuck Wagon Camp Breakdown

Last Updated on 10/10/2025 by Megan deFabry

About the Author:

Megan deFabry

Biography:

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music.

For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys.

I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI.

Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

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