Anson, Texas to Host
75th Annual Cowboy Christmas Ball

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Are you looking for some place to go, out of town, this Christmas season? Well, one sure place to enjoy yourself is Anson, Texas, that is just about 4 hours away. Anson is home to the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball, and will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in December 2009. This year's ball will be hosted on December 17th, 18th, and 19th, and will feature a change in the night that Star Performer, Michael Martin Murphy, will be attending. Murphy is scheduled to attend on Thursday night, December 17th.

Tickets for Murphy's performance, on Thursday night, are $15.00, and must be purchased in advanced, by calling Nettie Lee, at (325)823-2159. For the Friday and Saturday night performances, tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at the door.

 

The Post Office Mural in Anson, Texas, is another site to see, that is part of the WPA Projects that were
painted throughout Texas, and has been preserved, as a tribute to the Cowboy Christmas Ball.

 

 

It was in 1934, that Anson teacher and folklorist, Leonora Barrett, revived the ball, as a way to honor New York poet Lawrence Chittenden's "The Cowboy Christmas Ball." The famed poet had attended a Christmas ball in Anson, Texas, either in 1885 or 1887, and penned the famous poem, about his experience at the Anson Starr Hotel. Other historical accounts had been written about the Christmas ball, that heralded cowboys off the range, for a fun time at Christmas. Murphy began playing the venue in the 1980's and continues to attend and play every year!

 

 

The famous Cowboy Christmas Ball, in Anson, Texas, has received national acclaim, and has some strict rules, that apply to its hosting. Ladies must wear a dress or skirt, and men can't wear their hats inside. Then, there is no smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages inside the dance.

 

 

"The Cowboy Christmas Ball is one of those longtime traditions in West Texas," expressed one of this year's organizers. "There are people that travel hundreds of miles to attend each year and celebrate the Christmas Season, in a Western way with us, here in Anson. It's our contribution to Texas and the nation, as we all celebrate our great heritage!"

Make plans to add this unique opportunity to your holiday plans, especially if you like to dance, and enjoy Western music!

 

 

 

 

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