Roping with Kevin Fitzpatrick at National Day of the Cowboy. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy at the Briscoe Western Art Museum
Saturday, July 26 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Briscoe Western Art Museum | 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX Free Admission | Free Activities | Family-Friendly Fun
Saddle up, San Antonio! The Briscoe Western Art Museum is bringing the Wild West to life for a full day of cowboy culture, family fun, and cultural celebration at its National Day of the Cowboy event on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.(Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2025)
This free community event honors the spirit and traditions of the American cowboy, Mexican vaquero, and Hawaiian paniolo. Held in the heart of downtown San Antonio, the celebration features a wide range of hands-on activities, artist demonstrations, music, food, and more. Plus, enjoy free museum admission all day long—including access to the special exhibition “Aloha Vaqueros,” which explores the rich connections between cowboy cultures across borders and oceans.
🐴 Family Fun at the Lil Buckaroo Corral
Kids can kick up some dust and wrangle up excitement with:
Stick pony barrel racing
Horseshoe tosses & lasso lessons
Bull riding & cowboy crafts (make your own spur, hat, or brand!)
Lei making & silversmith etching with Nā Mamo cultural group, performing live at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
🤠 Cowboy Culture Comes Alive
Explore the museum’s 14 galleries, the McNutt Sculpture Garden, and enjoy:
Roping demonstrations from a talented trick roper
Rodeo fun with local cowboys and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
An inside look at escaramuza attire and performances—featuring live Q&A with a local rider
🎨 Western Art in Action
See artistry in motion with live demonstrations from celebrated Western artists:
Wilson Capron – Silversmith & engraver
Leland Hensley – Rawhide braider
Jason Scull – Western sculptor
Mike Capron – Western painter
🎶 Music, Poetry & Storytelling
Cowboy poetry with Don Mathis – 12:30 p.m.
Cowboy ballads with Jesse White – 3 p.m.
Story time with Antoinette Lakey, featuring trailblazing cowboy Mary Fields – 1 & 1:30 p.m.
🌮 Cowboy-Approved Eats
Refuel with food truck favorites available for purchase all day:
Cake-N-Que
Hokulani Shave Ice
Plus, free chuck wagon cobbler samples while supplies last!
🐂 Why Celebrate?
Launched in 2005 and officially recognized in Texas since 2015, National Day of the Cowboy honors the legacy of the American cowboy, cowgirl, vaquero, and paniolo. The Briscoe’s annual celebration is a beloved tradition that preserves and highlights this rich cultural heritage.
🎟️ Admission is free, but space is limited—pre-register nowto secure your spot for this unforgettable day of Western wonder.
Celebrate the cowboy way – Briscoe style!
Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
‘Poets Square’ is the new memoir by Courtney Gustafson. Photo: Barnes & Noble
📚Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats
How One Woman, Thirty Feral Cats, and a Bit of Dumb Hope Sparked a Movement of Care
What happens when you move into a new house—and discover that it comes with thirty feral cats?
In “Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats,” Courtney Gustafson shares the deeply personal and unexpectedly viral story of how a scrappy colony of stray cats transformed her life, her neighborhood, and the way she thinks about care, resilience, and community. (Penguin Random House, 2025)
A Pandemic, a New Relationship—and Then, the Cats
When Courtney moved into a rental in Tucson’s Poets Square neighborhood, she was already in survival mode. She was navigating a new relationship, working a job that didn’t pay enough, and dealing with mental health challenges—all during the chaos of a global pandemic.
So, when she realized her new home came with thirty unclaimed, unfixed, and hungry feral cats, her initial response was: not my problem.
But the cats had other ideas.
With their pleading eyes, visible ribs, and litters of kittens born in the gravel driveway, they became impossible to ignore.
From Reluctant Rescuer to Accidental Influencer
Courtney hadn’t planned on becoming an animal rescuer. She certainly didn’t anticipate the grief, exhaustion, or heartbreak that comes with trying to help creatures in need—especially within a system that fails both animals and people every day.
But in feeding, fixing, naming, and loving this colony—Monkey, Goldie, Francois, Sad Boy, and so many others—Courtney found something she didn’t expect: a way forward through her own personal darkness.
As she began documenting the daily lives of the cats on TikTok and Instagram, she quickly amassed a devoted following. Poets Square Cats became a viral phenomenon—and the support from her online community ended up saving her home.
A Story About Cats—and So Much More
This memoir is more than a chronicle of rescue work. It’s a meditation on what it means to show up—for others, for yourself, and for the broken spaces in between. Courtney takes readers from dark alleyways to trashed living rooms to her own front yard, revealing a raw, powerful journey that’s as much about humanity as it is about cats.
With tenderness, humor, and hard-won wisdom, “Poets Square” is a story about finding hope where it seems least likely, and building community—even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
About the Author
Courtney Gustafson is a cat rescuer, community organizer, and creator of Poets Square Cats. She lives in Tucson, Arizona, and shares stories (and cat updates) with thousands on TikTok and Instagram.
Praise for “Poets Square”
“Truly moving; a heartfelt exploration of the humanity at the heart of animal welfare. Courtney masterfully weaves together stories of cats with stories of her own life and the lives of her community members—raw, flawed, and striving for goodness in a complex world. Her journey from cat observer to dedicated caregiver and community builder is profoundly inspiring.”—Hannah Shaw, New York Times bestselling author of Cats of the World
“Courtney Gustafson writes with uncommon grace about the castoff, the abandoned, the invisible. This book should be read and treasured for its ability to make the reader more human and humane.”—Lauren Slater, author of Blue Dreams and Lying
“Poets Square is charming and tender, funny-sad, quirky in the best possible way. It’s a story about care and compassion and acts of kindness big and small. I flew through it— and I’m not even a cat person.”—Chloë Ashby, author of Wet Paint
📚 Want more stories like this? Subscribe to my blog for book reviews, memoir spotlights, and reflections on resilience and community.
The Secret Garden Room at High Praise Rooftop Bar at InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk. Photo: InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, used with permission.
Celebrate Mother’s Day in San Antonio: Special Events and Experiences to Make Her Feel Loved
Mother’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a heartfelt celebration of the women who nurture, guide, and inspire us. Observed in many parts of the world, this special day is dedicated to honoring mothers and maternal figures for their enduring love and countless sacrifices. Whether through a handwritten note, a bouquet of flowers, a shared meal, or a quiet moment of connection, people celebrate in many meaningful ways.
This year, several of San Antonio’s finest hotels and resorts are offering curated experiences and special events designed to make Mother’s Day truly unforgettable. Here’s a round up of where to take Mom for a memorable celebration:
Dates: May 9–11, 2025 Location: Four Brothers Restaurant
Four Brothers, Omni La Mansión del Rio’s Southern-inspired eatery, will be hosting a limited-time Mother’s Day Brunch and serving a specialty cocktail called the ‘I Raised You.’
Celebrate Mom with a jazzy brunch and vibrant rooftop experience at the InterContinental.
Brunch at Cavalier:
Classic brunch dishes with live music from The Dirty River Jazz Band.
A Kendra Scott pop-up just outside the restaurant—perfect for last-minute gift shopping.
After Brunch:
Head up to High Praise rooftop bar to enjoy The Secret Garden Room—a lush, seasonal pop-up bar with over 10 custom cocktails inspired by spring and nature.
Take in the views and snap the perfect Mother’s Day photo with the San Antonio skyline as a backdrop.
Special Offers: Now through May 12 Gift Card Promotion: Available until May 8
Start Mother’s Day early at Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa, where wellness meets indulgence. Give Mom the gift of self-care with one of their rejuvenating packages:
The Essential Duo
The Glass Skin Glow
Or let her choose with a flexible Hiatus Gift Card
Each option is designed to help her relax, recharge, and feel her absolute best on her special day.
For those looking to make Mother’s Day a full-on experience, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk offers a perfect blend of indulgence, style, and serenity.
Brunch at Landrace: A Feast for the Senses
Treat Mom to a decadent prix-fixe brunch at Landrace, the hotel’s riverside restaurant known for its thoughtful flavors and elegant setting.
Relax & Unwind: Rooftop Luxury and Spa Bliss
After brunch, keep the celebration going:
Lounge poolside in a rooftop cabana with panoramic views of the San Antonio skyline.
Visit Thompson Spa for signature treatments designed to restore, relax, and elevate her day.
Whether she wants a culinary escape or a peaceful retreat, Thompson San Antonio offers a refined way to celebrate the mothers and mother figures in your life.
Plan Ahead
Mother’s Day is a time to show love and appreciation. Be sure to reserve early—these experiences are limited and sure to fill quickly!
SA Examiner 