RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—OCTOBER 2, 2019—The 30th annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, Lincoln County's hugely popular western swing and cowboy music festival, comes to Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino on October 10-13 with an entertaining array of western-themed activities.

Daytime general admission tickets to the Cowboy Symposium are $20 and general admission to the evening concerts are $60. They are available at www.cowboysymposium.org.

"This promises to be a very special edition of the Symposium because we're going to salute 30 years of conducting this unique festival," Ruidoso Downs' president and general manager Jeff True said. "We have some uniquely exciting concerts and events planned. This is a most memorable weekend for everyone."

This year's Cowboy Symposium starts on Thursday evening, October 10th, with Bob Wills' Texas Playboys under the direction of Jason Roberts along with Dave Alexander and the Texas Swing Band. The Playboys were the first band to play at the Cowboy Symposium's inaugural show in 1990.

Friday evening's concert headliner is Asleep at the Wheel featuring Ray Benson. The program also presents the Quebe Sisters and Coby Carter.

The award winning Asleep at the Wheel is considered the pinnacle band for the western swing music genre. The band has been featured at the Cowboy Symposium more times than any other major performance band over 30 years. The Quebe Sisters are considered the top female current western swing band in the country.

Saturday night's concert features the Texas Jamm Band, featuring members of George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band. Special guests on Saturday include Floyd Domino, Emily Gimble along with Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys.

The Cowboys Symposium daytime lineup on Friday and Saturday incudes Dave Alexander, Billy Mata, The Wendell Sollis Band, Flying J Wranglers, Belinda Gail, Emily Gimble, Coby Carter, Floyd Domino, Jason Roberts, Jody Nix, Mikki Daniel, Will Banister, and the Neal McCowan Band.

The annual $13,000 Chuckwagon Cookoff presented by Albertson's Market is scheduled to be held in the race track infield where nearly 20 authentic chuck wagons are expected to compete in various categories.

The western-themed festival includes approximately 120 vendors for shopping, food, clothing and collectables.

Renowned horse trainer Craig Cameron is scheduled to conduct his insightful horse training sessions on the race track.

The symposium remains one of the largest annual cowboy gatherings in the west each year and includes many demonstrations and family activities including a kid's rodeo on Saturday morning.

Hours of the Symposium are Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along with Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission to the Symposium is free on Sunday. Evening concerts begin at 7 p.m.

VIP and general admission can be purchased through the Ruidoso Downs Race Track box office, online at cowboysymposium.org or telephone the box office at 575-378-4140.

30th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium Evening Concerts at 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 10

• Bob Wills' Texas Playboys under the direction of Jason Roberts
• Dave Alexander and the Texas Swing Band

Friday, October 11

• Asleep at the Wheel with Ray Benson
• Quebe Sisters
• Coby Carter

Saturday, October 12

• Texas Jamm Band, (Featuring Members of George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band)
• Floyd Domino Trio
• Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys

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