A Cowboy Summer

Lasso up a cowboy-themed summer with rodeo, live music, and more in Bandera

This summer is the perfect time to discover for yourself why Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World, lives up to its name.

Yes, there are real cowboys and cowgirls aplenty and lots of ranches at which to ride horses, but it’s the cowboy spirit of the town that truly captivates. Bandera’s genuine, welcoming attitude is what that inspires folks to return again and again when they want to escape the pressures of everyday life and be surrounded by friendly folks, gorgeous nature, and fun times.

Here are just some upcoming summer activities to help you plan your next trip to Bandera:

Summer is rodeo season in Bandera. Every Friday night through July 29 at Mansfield Park, you can whoop and holler for the cowboys and cowgirls as they compete for less than the cost of a first-run movie ticket. There is no instant replay here — the action is real. And nothing is more fun to watch than the mutton bustin' and calf scramble.

After the rodeo, seek out one of the many watering holes and dance the night away to live music.

Every Saturday during the morning hours and just past lunch, witness not one but two different gunfight shows right in the heart of downtown Bandera. Don't be surprised to see a horse-drawn wagon, chuck wagon, and possibly a Longhorn as well. And the best part? All these activities are free.

In the heat of the afternoon, head to either the Frontier Times Museum or Bandera Natural History & New Spain Art Museum to escape the heat.

Or step down into Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Bar to enjoy a lively jam session. Don't forget to enjoy an ice cream treat at the Bandera General Store as you browse through their great selection of vintage boots.

On June 29, along the banks of the Medina River in City Park, everyone is invited to the free, family-friendly Bandera Riverfest. It is reminiscent of an old-fashioned community picnic, with food vendors, a hot dog and watermelon-eating contest, car show, and Bandera's very own American Idol-style competition.

The Fourth of July is not just a one-day celebration in Bandera. This year it's being celebrated for the whole weekend, beginning on Thursday, the Fourth itself, with the annual pet parade in City Park and (human) parade in Lakehills. Cap off your evening at 11th Street Cowboy Bar with Rick Rice.

On Friday night, enjoy the rodeo and then head back to 11th Street to hear Gary P. Nunn; Saturday night brings a concert by Weldon Henson.

Expect to see plenty of cowboys and cowgirls the weekend of July 26-27, as Bandera celebrates the National Day of the American Cowboy at Mansfield Park. Rodeos happen on both Friday and Saturday night, plus a sanctioned barbecue cook-off on Saturday, cowboy poets, musicians, Western re-enactors, interactive games and activities for the kids, and so much more.

Keep up with all the latest happenings, who is playing where, and upcoming fun in Bandera here.

Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

Summer is rodeo season in Bandera.

vacations concerts rodeo promoted

REVIVING THE ALAMO

Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

Photo by Gower Brown/ Unsplash

A 90-pound cannon used in the Battle of the Alamo is returning to its San Antonio home.

It turns out the Alamo's original 1836 cannons are good for more than just defense — they also make a sturdy birdbath. After serving as a garden ornament for Samuel Maverick’s descendants, an authentic piece of San Antonio history is finally returning home to the revered mission.

According to an Alamo announcement, the swivel cannon weighs 90 pounds and is approximately three feet long. The relic was originally found in 1852 when Maverick built a home near the northwest corner of the battle’s site.

The lawyer and land baron was saved from death when he was urged by William Barret Travis to ride to the Texas Declaration of Independence convention in Washington-on-the-Brazos to send reinforcements. Returning to the Alamo’s grounds, he found a cache of cannons buried where the Hotel Gibbs sits today.

From there, the cannon wound up at the Maverick family’s Sunshine Ranch on the Northwest Side, where it was eventually incorporated into the garden DIY project. In 1955, the cannon was removed from the ranch, and the current location remained a mystery until the Alamo received a call from a Maverick relative in Corpus Christi.

Alamo cannon This Alamo artifact gives an idea of what the cannon will look like once restoration is complete.Photo courtesy of the Alamo.

“The relative graciously donated the cannon to the Alamo,” wrote a rep from the mission. “Alamo Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham and Head Conservator Pam Jary Rosser drove down the very next day to take this piece of history home to the Alamo.”

Although the artillery is mostly intact, it is missing its trunnions (the pivot-point protrusions on the sides of the barrel) and cascabel (the knob and neck assembly at the rear of historic muzzle-loading cannons). The parts were removed by the Mexican army to make the cannon inoperable.

Once preservation is complete, this cannon and the Alamo Collection’s other battle cannons will make their way to the upcoming Visitor Center and Museum, where they will be joined by rocker Phil Collins' collection of Alamo artifacts. The Alamo is in the midst of a $550 million preservation project, which includes conserving the Alamo Church, Long Barrack, and the mission’s original footprint. The museum is on track to debut in late 2027.

history museums artifacts texas history the alamo

A Cowboy Summer

Lasso up a cowboy-themed summer with rodeo, live music, and more in Bandera

REVIVING THE ALAMO

Texas landmark the Alamo reclaims historic cannon from private ownership

12 Houston restaurants score James Beard Award semifinalist nominations

Memorial Park previews new playground and visitor's center coming in 2027

Shuttered Houston restaurant's iconic cookies revived with new name