When bad hombres ride into town, who were the good guys who stepped up and protected the innocent town folk? When we turn our imaginations back to the Wild West chapter of American history, one of the first images we often conjure up from that rough-and-tumble and sometimes lawless time is the good guy vs. bad guy gunfight! The brief but intense skirmishes that occasionally resulted are compelling tidbits of history; they present plenty of drama and conflict, and were often influential turning points in the history of the region.
When you sort the wilder legends from what actually took place, it quickly becomes apparent that the Wild West gunfight wasn’t an everyday occurrence. They certainly did take place, though, and while that chapter of our history has long since faded into the past, you can still get a realistic and historical taste of what it was like in real time. On the historic streets of Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World, there’s a place you can go to watch not one, but two exciting gunfights every Saturday!
The Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters is a talented group of reenactors and entertainers dedicated to recreating that adrenaline-pumping chapter of Western American history. Their members put on authentic depictions of gunfights every Saturday in Bandera, with shows at 11 AM and 1 PM. You can witness as they battle it out behind the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 126 Highway 16. Since their performances take place outside, they are weather permitting.
Their exciting and entertaining shows include not only a healthy dose of history behind the traditional gunfight, but the safety measures and behind-the-scenes tricks that go into making an inherently dangerous occasion a safe and engaging experience. Their enthusiasm while performing is contagious, and they mix in some fun humor and dazzling gun tricks to round out the excitement.
The Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters have traveled to all corners of the country to hone their skills and performances, but Bandera is their home, to the delight to visitors of all ages who travel to the Hill Country to see some genuine Wild West entertainment. Theirs is an engaging, interactive, and fun way to celebrate the great American West—and it’s a lot more interesting than burying your nose in a history book!
Again, the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters’ gunfight shows take place every Saturday, with the first show at 11 AM and the second at 1 PM. The squaring off between the white hats and black hats takes place right behind the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau, whose address is 126 Highway 16 in Bandera. There is no admission charged to any of their shows. Additionally, if you’d like to contact the gunfighters with questions about their Saturday shows, or their commitment to recreating history in an authentic and fun manner, their phone number is (830) 343-7141.
Beyond the gunfights, there’s a lot more history and excitement to experience in Bandera and the surrounding Hill Country! A free download of the Texas Hill Country Travel App has thousands of business and attraction listings in 40 towns in this vibrant and beautiful region, and it’s a powerful and informative tool for anyone, native or just visiting, who wants to make the most of their travels.
What are some of your favorite Cowboy Capital of the World experiences, gunfights or otherwise? Please feel free to share them here!
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