A group of cowboy poets, musicians and artists rolled through High River as part of the seventh annual Trail's End Gathering on September 28-29.

The event took place at the Full Gospel Church near the edge of town, and featured artists from Southern Alberta, B.C. and even as far as South Dakota.

Organizer and performer at the event Perry Jacobson says, they welcome guests of all sorts to the event.

"Once we get people there, they come back. A lot of people don't understand, they figure you have to be a full fledged cowboy to be there, which isn't true. There's entertainment for everyone."

Jacobson is the past president of the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association, and was a true working cowboy before he joined the Banff National park, working as a Warden until 2000.

Prior to Banff, Jacobson ranched near Millarville, and his poetry and music are derived from his experience in the wilderness, both from the prairies, and the from the mountains and forests of Banff National Park.

Jacobson says the event places emphasis on truly original content.

"This is what the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association does, we celebrate the culture. We try to keep it very authentic with the music and poetry. Most of the stuff is completely original. There's some cover stuff, but most of it is original."

Poets and performers such as The Ramblin' Rangers, BJ Smith, Todd Nakamura, Doc Mehl, Doris Daley and the Koehler Sisters, rounded out two days of performance with the event also featuring a cowboy stew supper.

Jacobson says he hopes the event receives continued support, and says their High River venue is an important one.

"It's our seventh year here, and we hope it will be [the events] our permanent home. This place is the cradle of the ranching communities that started many years ago."

 

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