August 2011
Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure
Page 28
National Day Of The American Cowboy Celebrated
The first annual tribute to the
American Cowboy was held on
Saturday, July 23 at David Rogers
Memorial Park.
The day was enjoyed by the
participants competing in a “Fast
Draw” shoot out. I had the role
to be the Fast Draw educator
for the event. I even took on the
LaGrange County Interpretive
Naturalist; Scott Beam ... which
was a very close call! Others
included kids of all ages and the
winners of the fast draw were
awarded the Golden gun award.
The keynote speaker for the
event was Mark L. Redmond of
the Angola, Indiana area. He gave
a presentation of the Culture
of the American Cowboy. His
message he imparts to kids really
holds the answer: Believe in
yourself, try your best, and do not
article and photos by David Lane
ever give up your dreams. Mark
is a writer of several children’s
books in a series called the
“Adventure’s of Arty Anderson.”
The series teaches all about the
old western cowboy life in a
Christian perspective of values
and principals.
Events like this one were
planned across the country on
July 23 as part of the seventh
annual National Day of the
American Cowboy. This campaign
was founded by American
Cowboy magazine in 2004 to
preserve, protect and promote
our cowboy and western heritage
and to lobby for the passage of a
national resolution designating
the fourth Saturday of every July
a permanent celebration on
the national calendar honoring
cowboys and cowgirls for their
enduring contribution to the
courageous, pioneering spirit of
America.
From the vast horizons at
sunrise and sunset to the expanse
of the Canyons to the National
Parks and beyond. But none are
more powerful than the cowboy.
Starting with the area’s first
ranch in the 1870s to today’s
cattle industry, a cowboy in these
parts and beyond is the real deal.
A special thanks to our
sponsors for this event: Troyers
Saddlery and Shipshewana
Harness both of Shipshewana.
LaGrange County Parks and
Recreation was the host for this
event.
Many events are being
planned for next years National
Day of the American Cowboy so
Saddle your horse and hit the trail
continued on next page