It is time to buy a raffle ticket for the Southwestern Cowbelles brand quilt, an iconic symbol of Montezuma County ranching heritage.
The traditional queen-size quilt features 41 active local brands and is on display at Brand Central, 113 E. Main St. in Cortez.
It will be raffled off March 26 at 3 p.m. during the Four States Ag Expo at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
Tickets are $1 or a book of six for $5. Tickets can be purchased from committee members or any Cowbelles member. Contact members via message on their Facebook page.
Second and third drawings win a $50 beef bundle from Bell Beef.
The money raised from the brand quilt raffle supports Cowbelles projects that promote beef and the agriculture way of life in the area, said Cowbelles member Bunny McComb.
Some of the projects include producing annual calendars with historic photos, sponsoring fair awards, hosting bereavement dinners, working with 4-H youths and putting on the luncheon for the annual Southwestern Colorado Cattleman Association convention.
This weekend is the anniversary of the Meat-In Day declared by Southwest Colorado Cattlemen’s Association last year in response to Gov. Jared Polis’ proclamation of Meat-Out Day.
To promote beef commerce, the Cowbelles partnered with local restaurants to offer a chance people to win a free beef meal.
On March 19, when you order a beef meal at any of the 12 participating restaurants, your name is entered into a drawing.
Winners from each restaurant will receive a $20 gift certificate to eat there again. Participating restaurants are Bubba’s, in Lewis; Main Street Brewery, Blondie’s, J. Fargo, and Shiloh steakhouse in Cortez; The Depot, in Dolores; Chavalo’s, Missy’s and The Columbine in Mancos; and The Dinner Bell, and Stateline Bar and Grill in Dove Creek.
The Cowbelles create two brand quilts per year. One is given to a Cowbelles member through a drawing at the Christmas party, which went to Amanda Higgins. The other is raffled off to the public.
Brand squares for the quilt are made by the brand holders or by Cowbelles. The squares are stitched together by Mary Ellen McComb and the quilting, batting and backing are done by Ann Neely.
The Southwest Cowbelles formed in 1954, and members have made the brand quilt for more than 60 years.
Cattle brands identify owners and are inspected if the cattle are moved over along distance or when butchered. Calves are branded so they can be identified at the feed lot. When ranchers buy cattle, they will put their own brand on them.
“Brands are passed down in the family,” McComb said. “Everybody’s favorite brand is their own, of course!”