Jim Bowie Days
It's more than a rodeo!
The Jim Bowie Days Organization is a community-focused group in Bowie, Texas, that organizes the annual Jim Bowie Days Rodeo and Celebration. This event celebrates the life and legacy of Jim Bowie, a legendary frontiersman, soldier, and folk hero who is best known for his role in the Battle of the Alamo. The Rodeo and Celebration includes a variety of activities such as a parade, live entertainment, a rodeo, a bass tournament, arts and crafts, food vendors, and other family-friendly events. The organization plays a key role in preserving the town’s heritage while fostering local pride and bringing together residents and visitors for a fun, festive atmosphere.
FAST FACTS
Visitors from all over the world have visited Bowie, Texas during the Jim Bowies Days Rodeo & Celebration. Our rodeo is awarding winning, and a draw for cowboys and cowgirls at almost every level.
Over
9,000
Fans and Spectators will walk through the gates.
Over
700
Cowboys & Cowgirls will compete in the rodeo arena
For
7
Days, we strive to keep family fun entertainment in Bowie, Texas
The Faces of the JBD
None of this amazing event would be possible without the many dedicated people behind the scenes.
Jim Bowie Days Assosiation Consists of: Scott Head, Carol Head, Janice Blahuta, Jesse Davis, Charmie Sanders, Mike Sanders, Lisa Scruggs, Lance Scruggs, Kristi Bates, Cindy Hedman and Chad Long, Brian Holland, Brittainy Holland, Tommy McEwen, Courtney Howard, Keely Head, Rowdy Head, Flor DelRio, Sherry Hammer, Gaylynn Burris, and Mark Burris. Not Pictured are Tommy McEwen, Courtney McEwen
Partner With Us
Be part of the Tradition!
As a sponsor, your support will be acknowledged during the seven-day event which has a projected attendance of 9,000 fans and more than 650 contestants from all over the United States. Attendees come out to enjoy and participate in a Golf Tournament, Bass Tournament, Open Barrel Race, two Youth Rodeo Performances, Youth Mutton Busting, FFA Calf Scramble, Parade, Youth Dummy Roping, Frog Jumping Contests, Turtle Races, Hamburger Feed, Corn Hole Tournament, Indian Artifacts Show, Quilt Display, Pet Parade, Queen Contests, Dutchess Ceremonies, Rodeo Dances, and three action packed UPRA Rodeo performances.
This History
We've been around since 1967
The Jim Bowie Days Rodeo, Parade, and Festival was the brainchild of several area businessmen during an early morning coffee break at the local Bowie Drug in 1967. These men wanted to bring folks to Bowie and began exchanging ideas. Along with groups such as the Jim Bowie Saddle Club, who was the driving force behind the rodeo for the event, and the Bowie Chamber of Commerce, it has become one of the most popular festivals in the North Texas area. But, unlike the festivals of today, the Jim Bowie Days Festival had literally no money or sponsors. What you see today is the result of small town community, ingenuity and the plain ol’ hard work of good hearted and generous volunteers! This handful of businessmen began knocking on doors and talking at every club or group in our small cattle town. The result was the first Jim Bowie Days held in 1967 with a festival, parade and rodeo complete with the first Miss Jim Bowie Days being chosen from 18 contestants. The Jim Bowie Days Rodeo Association continues to knock on doors in order to carry on the tradition of our founders. Ref: Hill, Shirley., “Best Kept Secret: Jim Bowie Days” Yahoo! Contributor Network, retrieved 2013-02-04
Grand Marshals
It's Been a Privilege
The Jim Bowie Days Association takes pride in acknowledging individuals and groups that have impacted Bowie over the past year and designating them as our parade Grand Marshall. Below is a listing of our past Grand Marshalls. Performances, Youth Mutton Busting, FFA Calf Scramble, Parade, Youth Dummy Roping, Frog Jumping Contests, Turtle Races, Hamburger Feed, Corn Hole Tournament, Indian Artifacts Show, Quilt Display, Pet Parade, Queen Contests, Dutchess Ceremonies, Rodeo Dances, and three action packed UPRA Rodeo performances.
| 1971 | Ben Barnes | Lieutenant Governor of Texas |
| 1972 | Dolph Briscoe | Governor of Texas |
| 1973 | Joe Hanna | Texas Congressman, 54th District |
| 1974 | Terry Morgan | Mayor of Bowie |
| 1975 | Donnie Gay | World Champion Cowboy |
| 1976 | Texas Ranger Belles Riding Club | – |
| 1977 | American Assoc. of Sheriff’s Posses & Riding Club | – |
| 1978 | Charles W. Stenholm | US Congressman, 17th District |
| 1979 | Olie Carriker & Evelyn Husfeld | Bowie’s Man & Woman of the Year |
| 1980 | Tom Nichols | Bowie’s Poet Laureate |
| 1981 | Dr. John Middleton | Mayor of Bowie |
| 1982 | Johnnie High | Country Singer |
| 1983 | Ray Farabee | Texas State Senator |
| 1984 | Flyo Jones Case | Pioneer Country Music Journalist & Bowie Native |
| 1985 | Sherry Richards | Mrs. Texas 1985 & Bowie Resident |
| 1986 | Dave Allred | Son of Texas Governor James Allred & Bowie Native |
| 1987 | Charles W. Martin | Local Cartographer for 1986 Bowie City Map |
| 1988 | Jean Montague | Great Great Grandson of Col. Daniel Montague |
| 1989 | Joe Brown | Farm Editor & Journalist for the Times/Record News |
| 1990 | Tuff Hedeman | 1986 – 1989 World Champion Bull Rider |
| 1991 | Charles Finnell | Texas State Representative, 80th District |
| 1992 | Nell Haigood | – |
| 1994 | The Heard Family | Heard’s Hardware |
| 1997 | T.K. Ranch | – |
| 1999 | Leiland Jett | – |
| 2000 | J.W. & Peggy Cure | Owners of Bowie Dairy Queen |
| 2001 | Owen Meyer | – |
| 2002 | Cy Young | – |
| 2003 | Juanita Allen | – |
| 2004 | M. H. Henry | – |
| 2005 | James Cantwell | Bowie City Manager |
| 2006 | Area Fire Departments | – |
| 2007 | Rodeo Legend Roy Cooper & Family | – |
| 2008 | Greg Evans | Superintendent of Bowie Independent School District |
| 2009 | Emily Klement | Dean of North Central Texas College |
| 2010 | Jean Angove | Angove Real Estate |
| 2011 | Dick Allen | Allen’s Texaco |
| 2012 | Paul Swint | Sue Swint Realty |
| 2013 | Cody Lambert | PBR |
| 2014 | Van Baize | Wellington Bank |
| 2015 | Bobby Del Vecchio | PBR Ring of Honor Recipient |
| 2016 | Bob & Verna Mae Brashear | – |
| 2017 | Bonnie Kinder & Clyde Johnson | – |
| 2018 | Bowie High School Boys State Champion Basketball Team | 2017-2018 Season |
| 2019 | Mildred McCraw | Bowie Community Development Board |
| 2020 | Nan Park | Jim Bowie Days Board Member for over 40 years |
| 2021 | Lynetta Slaton | Bowie Police Department Communications Director for 40 years |
| 2022 | Margin Latham | – |
| 2023 | Scott Weber | – |
