Considering the idea of highlighting a culture that members of a community wish to preserve, I am looking at the Texas Ranch Roundup as a subject for my project.  This is a highly celebrated event here in “the Falls” each year, and hosts many events surrounding the cattle ranch competition to highlight many aspects of the ranching way of life – from fun kids’ activities to arts and crafts, chuck wagon cooking, and a well-attended church service.

    The roundup is a well established event, though not as old as I was searching for  – established in 1981.  The roundup website claims that events around the country have “followed in the footsteps” of their original event: “It all started here… we are the Original Ranch Rodeo… celebrating 35 years of showcasing historic ranches, the hard work of true cowboys and every facet of ranch life.”  (http://texasranchroundup.com/#)

The event’s official logo definitely expresses the ideal of the tough, hard-working ranch hand.  The larger than life image of the ranch hand holding a brand in one hand and a lasso in the other evokes Texas pride, entrepreneurial spirit, economical capitalism, and the ideal of a simpler form of life.