Jim Bowie Days — 60th Annual

Bowie's signature week-long celebration marks its 60th annual edition. The festival fills Pelham Park and downtown Bowie with: a UPRA/CPRA/TCRA-sanctioned rodeo (performances Jun 25–27), the "State Championship Smokedown" BBQ cook-off (with a Friday-night steak challenge Jun 19 and full cook-off Jun 20), a downtown parade, the Miss Jim Bowie Days pageant (a continuous tradition since the first 1967 contest drew 18 contestants), the Amity Club's Pioneer Reunion, a long-running Indian Artifacts Show at the Community Center, mutton bustin', youth speed and roping events, a 4D barrel race, golf and pickleball tournaments, and a kiddie pet parade. A projected 9,000 attendees and 650+ contestants come from across the country. Rodeo performances run at the Pelham Park arena, 413 Pelham Drive — grounds historically tied to the 1901 Bowie Pelham Camp Confederate Veterans reunion site. Founded 1967 by a group of area businessmen meeting at Bowie Drug, built — per the festival's own account — from "literally no money or sponsors."