2026 Reunion of Cowboy Poets, Western Musicians & Artisans

Youth Poetry and Patriotic Contests

4 belt buckles will be presented to the overall winners in:

Adult Amateur, Adult Pro & Kids Patriotic AND Kids Cowboy Poetry Contests!

Only 1 buckle/youth - in the event that the same person wins the buckle in both the Kids Patriotic AND Kids Cowboy Poetry Contest, the individual can choose which buckle they want and the other buckle will go to the second place winner.

Bert Smith Patriotic Poetry Contest

Saturday March 14th, 2026 • 8:00 AM

In a time when it might be easy to look negatively at our country, the late Bert Smith (CEO Smith & Edwards) would like us to take an opportunity to look for the “good in our country and put those virtues in prose”. This is a time to remember that this nation was founded on ‘E Pluribus Unum’ – in the many, emerge one.

Let’s focus on the unity in diversity and celebrate this great nation through true patriotism and poetry!

CELEBRATE OUR NATION'S

**250TH ANNIVERSARY BY SHOWING YOUR PATRIOTISM AND LOVE OF COUNTRY!!!**

Open to ANY ADULT OR YOUTH

Contestants are sorted into 4 divisions

Youth

Pre - 6th Grade

Youth

7th - 12th Grade

Adult

Amateur

Pro (If you have ever been paid or published)

Poetry Can Be

"Original Poetry" - Poetry composed and recited by the poet (Extra Points given for original poetry)
"Recited Poetry" - Poetry composed by another author but recited by poet

Poetry Must Be

PATRIOTIC in Nature -
NOT POLITICAL (No Bashing!)
Poetry must include rhyming themes
Poetry recitation time: Less than 4 minutes

One Poem per Contestant!

(Kids can participate in BOTH Kids Poetry Contest AND Patriotic Contest!)

In the event of a tie all efforts will be made to split awards fairly.

Cash prizes

Please arrive by 7:30 am if you are doing the Patriotic Poetry Contest!!

Order of the Patriotic Contest:

Adult Amateur; Pro; Youth Pre - 6th Grade; 7th - 12th Grade

3 Buckles will be awarded to:

Top Kids Patriotic Poet (combined Pre - 12th Grade);

Top Adult 'Amateur' Patriotic Poet;

& Top 'Pro' Patriotic Poet

One Buckle Per Poet!

If a youth wins both the Kids Poetry & Patriotic Poetry Buckle, they will be able to choose which buckle they want, then the other buckle will go to the next highest individual!

Questions: Email [email protected] or text 435-557-3323

Thanks to Kathy Smith (wife of the late Bert Smith – founder of Smith & Edwards)

and her Loving Liberty Network for sponsoring this event.

Kids' Cowboy Poetry Contest

Saturday, March 14th, 2026 • Immediately following the 'Patriotic Poetry' Contest

In a world where it’s easy to forget the value of our Western roots, the Kids Cowboy Poetry Contest is a chance to honor the spirit of the American West. This is a time to embrace the stories of hard work, grit, and adventure that built our rural way of life and put those tales into rhyme.

Let’s celebrate the next generation of cowboy poets as they share their voices, capturing the heart of ranching, the open range, farm tales, and the values that keep the West alive and cultures growing!

CVCR has been the starting and warming up place for some of our great younger professional cowboy poets!

"Kids git lernin' those rimes!

Open to All Youth up to and Including High School Seniors

Contestants are sorted into 4 divisions (Grades as of January 1st)

Preschool - 2nd Grade

3rd - 5th Grade

6th - 8th Grade

9th - 12th Grade

Poetry Can Be

"Original Poetry" - Poetry composed and recited by the poet (Extra Points given for original poetry)
"Recited Poetry" - Poetry composed by another author but recited by poet

Poetry Must Be

Poetry must be based on western life and culture – Help us keep this culture alive.
Poetry must include rhyming themes
Poetry recitation time: less than 4 minutes