Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Ellsworth Cut-off from the iconic Chisholm Trail, Ellsworth is set to host a weekend brimming with Western entertainment and historical programming from October 19-22, 2023. Renowned cowboy musician R.W. Hampton, a four-time Academy of Western Artists Male Vocalist of the Year awardee and inductee into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame, will take center stage during the festivities.
D. R. Katzenmeier, president of the International Chisholm Trail Association, expressed excitement for the event, promising a delightful weekend featuring activities like the Chisholm Trail Conference on Oct. 19-20, an evening concert by R.W. Hampton on Oct. 20, free western music and cowboy poetry on Oct. 21, and cowboy church on Oct. 22.
The conference will be held at the Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center, showcasing speakers such as Michael Grauer of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, trails scholar Dr. Michelle Martin, western movie producer Ken Spurgeon, and western entertainer Jeff Davidson. Free entertainment in downtown Ellsworth on October 21 includes live music and cowboy poetry, while a street dance awaits revelers on Saturday night. The festivities will conclude on October 22 with a Cowboy Church Service featuring R.W. Hampton at the historic church in the Ellsworth Historical Complex.
