21st Annual
Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium
October 8, 9, and 10, 2010

Finest cowboy poets, musicians

Each year, during the second full weekend in October, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico plays host to the nation's finest cowboy poets, musicians (including the world famous Texas Playboys), chuckwagon cooks, western artists and craftsmen for three days of events, competitions, and workshops. In 1996, the symposium was selected as the Best Cowboy Cultural Event by the National Cowboy Symposium Association. In addition, the LCCS has been named one of North America's top 100 events by the American Bus Association.

World Championship Chuckwagon Competition


Chuckwagons serve up the best food!

One of the highlights of the Symposium is the World Championship Chuckwagon Competition (featured on the Food Network's All American Festivals) with prizes totaling $12,000. Competitors are judged not only on their mouth-watering food, but on the authenticity of their wagons and attire.

Plenty To Do

Craig Cameron photo by Mark Doth
Craig Cameron - Master Horseman
gives horsemanship instruction.

The Symposium also features demonstrations of many different types of horse related activities including: horsemanship with Craig Cameron, roping, and blacksmithing, along with booths brimming with western arts and crafts. The Symposium also has plenty of things for kids to do including competitions of dummy roping, stick horse barrel racing, goat roping and a goat/sheep scramble. With all there is to do, the authentic cowboy music and poetry is still the star of the Symposium. This is where all things “cowboy” are celebrated.

Leon Rausch, Tommy Allsup & the Texas Playboys


The Texas Playboys get the tent rockin'!

Each year, there's a Thursday night concert with Leon Rausch & the Texas Playboys featuring Tommy Allsup. The group for 2010 will be Asleep At The Wheel.


Friday Night Dance

Western Swing is still the King -- and nowhere is that more evident than our Friday night dance. The dance will feature, Leon Rausch, The Texas Playboys and Tommy Allsup.  Additional entertainers will be  Floyd Domino, Billy Mata, Ginny Mac and The All Stars great entertainers.

Friday Night Dance Special Guest

Jody Nix
Jody Nix

Saturday Night Concert


Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band

Cooking Demonstrations


C. W. loves to cook and tell stories.

C.W. "Butch" Welch, a native Idahoan, served twenty-one years as a Conservation Officer for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. In the course of his career he was assigned to various duty stations around the beautiful Gem State. In 1994 the Shikar Safari Club International recognized Welch as Idaho's "Wildlife Officer of the Year" for his meritorious service in the field of wildlife conservation and law enforcement!

Cee Dub's stories and recipes come from his years in the back country, both in the line of duty as well as in the "line of fun".

Sunday Activities

Sunday admission is now free with performances by gospel artists including the Good News Band, Jimmy Burson, Rev. Charles Clary and more. Music continues on all stages and demonstration areas remain open.

Experience awesome scenery and God's word on the Sunday Saddle Sermon Trail Ride.  There is no charge for this ride.  Bring your own horse or rent one.  Call 575.808-1769 to register.