Celebrate Bandera - Best one ever

By Judith Pannebaker BCC Editor

The 2012 Celebrate Bandera festivities are one for the books - and what a book it must be.

You knew it was going to be "that kind of weekend" when, during the afternoon of Friday, August 31, people complained all over town, "I had to sit at the light at Bandera Bank three times before I got through!" Visitors started to pour into the Cowboy Capital of the World on Thursday, and didn't stop all weekend.

This year's evolution, traditionally sponsored by the Bandera Community Foundation, had everything but fire-eaters, dancing bears and performances by Cirque du Soleil.

But what it did have was spectacular. For those residing under a rock last weekend, Celebrate Bandera offered cowboy mounted shooters; Circle of Life Powwow; Hoof 'n' Foot Horseless Rodeo; Kings of Western Swing concerts; arts and crafts fair; a humdinger of a parade, headed up by the YO Ranch longhorns; Cow Patty Bingo; gunfight re-enactments; mutton bustin'; Wild West Show; two nights of National Professional Bull Rider's Challenge; live performances on the Music Hall of Fame stage; Western Heritage Cowboy Church services and breakfast; and the Brazos Bottom Cowographers. And, if we've left anything - or anyone out - just let us know and we'll get you in next year.

We promise.

And, if those activities and performances weren't enough to wear you out, you're the Ever-Ready Bunny. So, drop the drum and don a cowboy hat!

Now, let's all take a deep breath and start planning for the 2013 Celebrate Bandera, slated for Friday, August 30, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.

Y'all come back!