STAMFORD, Texas -- Cowboys from all over the state pulled their boots up and put their hats on for the 81st Annual Texas Cowboy Reunion in Stamford.

Director Roger Clark told KTXS he expects the four day event to draw about 11,000 people and bring in $350,000 to the Stamford economy.

“Here in Stamford, I would estimate that our population probably doubles,” Clark explained. “We have the trade show upstairs. We have the chuck wagon competition. We have the cook-off competition,”

Michael Hart works in Stamford and said the reunion is a huge deal for the town of Stamford.

“This is what keeps Stamford alive. It's a great tradition. It's our heart and soul in Stamford. The Texas Cowboy Reunion and we enjoy every bit of it,” Hart explained.

Larry Lancaster has traveled from Vernon, Texas for the last three years to sell his hand made items at the reunion.

“I enjoy coming down here, meeting people and selling to people. I have a lot of customers around here. I meet new customers,” Lancaster said.

This year, Bobby Gilmore decided to bring his metal art work from Abilene to Stamford for cowboys to buy.

“We custom make anything you want," Gilmore said. "It's a lot of fun to come here. I came here a lot when I was a kid, so it's fun. I got a lot of friends here."

For Jake Lowry, this cowboy reunion is also nothing new.

“We come every year," Lowry said. “It’s probably the best rodeo I'll go to all year. We like going to the dance afterwards. It's real old timey."

“It's just really a great time for old cowboys to get together,” Clark said.

The Texas Cowboy Reunion wraps up Saturday night. For a schedule of events go to The Texas Cowboy Reunion website