The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering would not take place every year without the dedication of more than 400 volunteers. The community of Elko and Gathering devotees from all over the country volunteer in a variety of ways to make the event a success. They are a very much-appreciated, critical complement to our Western Folklife Center and National Cowboy Poetry Gathering staff.

Volunteer opportunities include taking tickets, ushering, driving vans, working in the gift shops, helping the press, taking surveys, door monitoring, logging shows, tending bar, working at the guest services desks, helping with educational programs during the week before the Gathering, even preparing Rocky Mountain Oysters for a special Western Folklife Center members-only party! 

But it’s not all work: Volunteers have a great time meeting people from all over the country and getting to know the performers, as well as watching performances in their spare time. Volunteers receive a deluxe guest pass pin, which allows entry into all of the non-ticketed shows, and a program book. As a volunteer, you are also contributing directly to the Western Folklife Center's mission to document and preserve the cultural traditions of the American West.

The 2012 Gathering is scheduled to take place January 30 through February 4, 2012. If you are interested in volunteering at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering , please download the volunteer application, print it off and complete it. Please mail the completed application or drop it off at our Gift Shop.

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