The 21st annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering & Western Swing Festival takes place this weekend in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The event was voted “Best Gathering” and “Best Family Event” by American Cowboy magazine’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards.

According to the official press release, the event will feature live music by Don Edwards and a daily ranch rodeo featuring ranch hand teams from 14 famous Texas ranches.

“Don Edwards helped us found this event and has been pleasing crowds since the very beginning,” Red Steagall said. “We are thrilled to have so many performers join us year after year, to bring our message and pass on a piece of our history to new audiences.”

The Western Swing Festival will take place tonight and tomorrow night featuring live performances by Leon Rausch, Bobby Flores and Red Steagall himself.

Since it is an event for the whole family, the Cowboy Gathering will also include a children’s poetry contest and a children’s chuck wagon cook off on the lawn of the Livestock Exchange.

Other events include horsemanship clinics, the Ranch Cutting Horse Association National Finals, and the Texas Trail of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Tickets and weekend passes are available for purchase online.