Jim Garling will be among the performers at today’s National Day of the American Cowboy celebration at the National Cowboy Museum.

Meet “Amazing Race” contender Jet McCoy, hear live music by Gary S. Pratt and Picket Wire, Jim Garling and A Bar Bunkhouse Band and see the John Wayne film “The Cowboys” at the National Day of the American Cowboy celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. today at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.

The museum joins venues across the nation today in hosting a special event to honor the iconic American Cowboy.

Jet McCoy

“The cowboy is our nation’s greatest ambassador throughout the world, representing the most admired virtues of the American people,” said Don Reeves, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture, on the popularity of the cowboy, in a news release.

Museum visitors can expect extra entertainment in addition to the cowboy culture and art routinely served up in the  museum’s galleries and gardens.

Visiting the museum to sign autographs will be Oklahoma’s own cowboy and “Amazing Race” contestant Jet McCoy.

Music entertainers will be cowboy singer/songwriter and past Western Heritage Award winner for Outstanding New Artist Gary S. Pratt and Picket Wire of Davis, along with Western music artists Jim Garling from Guthrie and the A­ Bar Bunkhouse Band from northeastern Oklahoma.

Additionally, three screenings of John Wayne’s feature film “The Cowboys” will be shown at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Starting at 10 a.m. is the introduction of the Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant contestants, followed at 1:30 p.m. by the announcement of the newly crowned royalty. Seventeen young ladies are vying for titles in four age divisions ranging from age 4-24. The 2010 and 2011 pageant titleholders will sign autographs from 2 to 3 p.m.

New this year, with each museum admission receipt, guests can enter The Cowboy’s A-Blazin’ Race and receive a “Passport to the West” for a chance to win prizes. The passport will guide participants through the museum with activities and educational questions.

On the plaza, the Oklahoma State University Rodeo Team will be on hand to demonstrate roping and Master Bladesmith Brion Tomberlin, will demonstrate knife making. Brand-themed temporary tattoos will be available all day in the Children’s Cowboy Corral along with children’s storytelling at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oklahoma County Mounted Sheriff’s Patrol will be a part of the activities again this year to greet guests as they enter the gates of the Museum.

American Cowboy magazine launched the campaign for this national day of recognition in 2004.

Several permanent galleries at the Museum focus on cowboys including, the American Cowboy Gallery, the Western Performers Gallery and the American Rodeo Gallery.

See the full schedule of activities after the break.

National Day of the American Cowboy schedule

9:45 a.m. Music by Jim Garling – End of the Trail

10 a.m. Screening of “The Cowboys” – Theater

10 a.m. Introduction of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Pageant Contestants – End of the Trail

10 a.m. The Cowboy’s A-Blazin’ Race Registration Opens – Canyon Princess

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Roping “Lessons” & Stick Horse Barrel Racing with the OSU Rodeo Team – Western States Plaza

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Children’s Temporary Tattoos – Children’s Cowboy Corral

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Children’s Coloring – Prosperity Junction

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bladesmith Demonstrations – Western States Plaza

10:15 a.m. Music by The A– Bunkhouse Band – End of the Trail

10:30 a.m. Autographs: Jet McCoy

11 a.m. Autographs: OSU Rodeo Team, Jim Garling

11 a.m. Children’s Storytelling – Children’s Cowboy Corral

11 a.m. Music by Gary S. Pratt & Picket Wire – End of the Trail

11:30 a.m. Autographs: A– Bunkhouse Band

11:45 a.m. Behind the Scenes of The Amazing Race with Jet McCoy – End of the Trail

Noon Autographs: Gary S. Pratt & Picket Wire

12:15 p.m. Screening of “The Cowboys” – Theater

12:30 p.m. Music by Jim Garling – End of the Trail

1:30 p.m. Autographs: Jet McCoy, OSU Rodeo Team, Jim Garling

1:30 p.m. Children’s Storytelling – Children’s Cowboy Corral

1:30 p.m. Introduction of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma and Royalty – End of the Trail

2 p.m. Music by The A– Bunkhouse Band – End of the Trail

2 p.m. Autographs: Jet McCoy, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Royalty

2:30 p.m. Music by Gary S. Pratt & Picket Wire – End of the Trail

2:30 p.m. Screening of “The Cowboys” – Theater

2:30 p.m. Autographs: Jet McCoy, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Royalty, A– Bunkhouse Band

2:45 p.m. The Cowboy’s A-Blazin’ Race Closes – Lincoln Hallway

3 p.m. Drawing for The Cowboy’s A-Blazin’ Race Winners – End of the Trail

3:15 p.m. Autographs: Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Royalty, Gary S. Pratt & Picket Wire

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