The 2026 Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest is coming!

REGIONAL ROUNDS ARE IN HAYS & COTTONWOOD FALLS

HAYS PUBLIC LIBRARY - FRIDAY MAY 15TH - 6:00 pm

1205 Main Street - Hays, KS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HAYS WINNERS:

Both the Serious and the Humorous categories had the same winners, who will advance to our finals in Manhattan on July 24th:

First Place: Jerry Jones

Second Place: Scott Wiswell

Third Place: Betty Burlingham

COTTONWOOD FALLS - SATURDAY JUNE 6TH - 7:00 pm

Cowboy Lodge - 234 Broadway Street - Cottonwood Falls, KS 

The top winners from each of those contests move on to the 

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND IN MANHATTAN, KS

 Friday July 24th - 7:00 pm

Flint Hills Discovery Center - 315 South 3rd Street - Manhattan, KS

Contestants in the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest perform their own original poems in person. 

There are two divisions:  Serious and Humorous.  Contestants may enter both.

The two regional contests in Hays and Cottonwood Falls determine the top qualifiers in each division who go on to compete in the State Final in Manhattan. State champions at the finals receive the Saddlejack Bradrick Award, the coveted Governor’s Buckle, discounts and gift certificates from leading western wear stores, and free membership in the International Western Music Association - Kansas Chapter.

Admission to these events is free to the public.  We hope you will join us!  It's an entertaining evening.

Entry fees for contestants are $15 for one poem, and $25 for two.  

TO COMPETE, JUST FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM IN THE WHITE BOX BELOW; 

THEN CLICK THE “PAY NOW” BOX TO PAY YOUR ENTRY FEE.

(YOU MAY ALSO PAY BY CHECK. THE ADDRESS IS ON THE REGISTRATION FORM.)