Elko is where Nevada’s real cowboys work and play, and the Wild West spirit is catching…even the folks at True West have taken notice of Elko’s authentic western heritage and ranked the town as one of the Top True Western Towns. Cowboys from across the nation flock to Elko every January for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, a celebration of the cowboy lifestyle and the rural West.
But the events in Elko go beyond its Western roots. Every July is the annual National Basque Festival, a nod to the rich Basque history and culture both in, Nevada and across the country. The festival is a raucous family event with traditional food and wine, dancing and even a ceremonial running of the bulls. And for Basque food anytime, Elko’s authentic Basque restaurants always hit the spot. Other much-anticipated events in Elko include the Silver State Stampede, Motorcycle Jamboree and the county fair.
