Each year in October, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico plays host to the nation's finest cowboy festival with old west storytellers, noted historians, poets, musicians, chuckwagon cook-offs, western artists and craftsmen, cowboy competitions, horse demonstrations, western swing dancing, kids rodeo and educational activities. In 1996, the symposium was selected as the Best Cowboy Cultural Event by the American Cowboy Culture Association or ACCA. In addition, the LCCS has been named one of North America's top 100 events by the American Bus Association.

The performers, chuck wagon cooks and western craftsmen gathered here represent the best in their fields. They are as diverse in nature as they are in talent, but they all have a common love of the West and the life that it offers.