Bandera - where the fun never sets - really comes alive on Labor Day weekend. That's when Bandera returns to its roots. It is the time of the cowboy - and music, horses, longhorn cattle, gunfights, American Indian Pow Wow, gospel singing and cowboy church on the river. It's Celebrate Bandera 2008 organized by the Bandera Community Foundation.

Get an early start on Celebrate Bandera with all the Friday night events:

Labor Day week-end Saturday and Sunday will find the whole town alive with cowboys and dudes and little buckaroos jostling for position to see Dr. E.T. Bushrod's Medicine Show, the San Antonio Living History Association, the famous Brazos Bottom Cowographers and a chance to ride in a stagecoach, The Texas Longhorn Riders and the Buffalo Soldier’s Camp. Folks will be scramblin’ to watch the Fancy Dancers and ceremonial dances of the Celebrate Bandera Intertribal Pow Wow.

Saturday morning kicks off with the opening ceremony, parade and a cattle drive down Main Street. A cattle drive with real longhorns.

The success of last year’s Salute to the Kings of Western Swing will be brought back again this year. Currently booked is Jake Hooker and Leon Rausch and the Texas Playboys. Stay tuned for more information on several other Country Swing Legends.

The great thing about Saturday and Sunday is that every event on the river and on Main Street is FREE. And that includes the juried Arts and Crafts Show, the Living History and re-enactors and the American Indian Intertribal Pow Wow, Cowboy Liars and Storytellers, and much, much more.

Saturday evening we move to Mansfield Park for the Cowboy Mounted Shooters Showcase and the Dodge Rodeo National Professional Bull Riding Challenge. Cowboys from all over the U.S. will gather to ride some of the best bucking bulls in the United States. Finals for the Bull Rider Challenge will be held Sunday. "The Hottest 8 Seconds of the Year!"!

Sunday brings back the Western Heritage Cowboy Church services on the banks of the Medina River. Country Gospel Music is featured most of the afternoon. A Native American Church service will also be held at Mansfield Park at the Intertribal Pow Wow.

Each year, a number of civic and church groups benefit from participation in Celebrate Bandera. To learn more about how you or your group can participate, call Genie Strickland at 830-796-4447.

Notice: Some outfitters charge fees for their rides such as stage coach, pony or horseback riding.