What Happened in Vegas
The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering went on the road to Las Vegas for the last few days of the National Finals Rodeo. Like last year’s event, A Taste of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the Western Folklife Center partnered with the Ahern Hotel to put on a spectacular mini-poetry Gathering. We had four days of an amazing gift show, three days filled with music and poetry, nightly NFR watch parties, and dancing late into the night to Sam Platts and his six-piece band. What happens in Vegas, we want to share!
Musician R.W. Hampton, poet Jake Riley, and musician Trinity Seely perform onstage
Photo by Denver Crowder
R.W. Hampton's guitar in the green room
Photo by Denver Crowder
Poet Darrel Holden performs onstage next to R.W. Hampton
Photo by Denver Crowder
Cowboy hats for sale by Arizona Hatters
Photo by Denver Crowder
Mackie Griggs hosts a show
Photo by Denver Crowder
Clara Smith's art for sale at the gift show
Photo by Marianne Molland
R.W. Hampton signs his merch
Photo by Denver Crowder
The High Lonesome Glass's amazing wares at the gift show
Photo by Marianne Molland
The nightly Skiver Bootmakers Watch Party for the NFR
Photo by Marianne Molland
Gary Haleamau & Kāwili perform onstage
Photo by Marianne Molland
A pair of Ty Skiver's boots for sale at the gift show
Photo by Marianne Molland
Host Mackie Griggs, WFC Executive Director Kristin Windbigler, and poet Annie Mackenzie smile between shows
Photo by Marianne Molland
Jake Riley and musician Matt Robertson prepare for their show in the green room
Photo by Piper Wiest
Handmade horsehair mecates at the gift show
Photo by Marianne Molland
Rawhide braider Randy Roberts gives a demonstration to Gary Haleamau & Kāwili
Photo by Marianne Molland
Jackson Custom Leather's wares for sale at the gift show
Photo by Marianne Molland
Gary Haleamau & Kāwili perform in the Ahern showroom
Photo by Marianne Molland




