Cowboy poetry festival kicks off Thursday

The Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, beginning Thursday and running through Sunday, includes concerts on the Mormon Station main stage by cowboy poets and Western entertainers Waddie Mitchell, Don Edwards, Paul Zarzyski, Dave Stamey, Sourdough Slim, Richard Elloyan, Lacy J. Dalton and David John and the Comstock Cowboys.

The event includes workshops and presentations on Western and Native American history and culture, Western art galleries, open mic nights and square dancing.

The cost of a one-day pass is $20, two-day pass is $35. Concerts and special events range from $10 to $35.

Cowboy dances in the Raycraft Dance Hall include the Old West Trio on Friday and the Cross Town Cowboys on Saturday. Both dances start at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Two-step Western swing dance lessons are given before each dance at 5:30 p.m. in the Raycraft Hall. Dance lessons are some of the events included in a festival day pass.

Day passes allow admittance to more than 80 Western-related workshops and demonstrations including storytelling, melodramas, cowboy poetry instruction, and a discussion on wild horses led by Lacy J. Dalton and the Let 'em Run Foundation.

Great Basin and Maidu tribes offer tribal crafts, art, dances and cultural presentations, and Indian tacos at the Native American Cultural and Historic Center. The Eagle Wings Dancers perform Saturday.

Festival events include tours of Nevada's oldest ranch, Trimmer Ranch No. 1, a trail ride in the Pine Nut Mountains, and bird and conservation presentation at the River Fork Ranch.

There are Chautauqua-style characterizations of Mark Twain, Sarah Winnemucca and Wyatt Earp. Demonstrations include leather tooling, saddlery, silversmithing, basket making, cowboy gear and blacksmithing.

Ranch grub and Dutch oven-cooked food, pancake breakfasts and spaghetti served with spaghetti Western movies keep everyone from going hungry.

The event is sponsored by the Town of Genoa and the Carson Valley Arts Council.

One-day, two-day and individual event passes available at the Genoa Town Offices, 2289 Main St., Genoa, at 782-8696, or from the arts council, 782-8207. Schedule of events and tickets at genoacowboyfestival.com