Ever since I was a kid, John Wayne has been a towering figure in my world. My grandmother Gigi, on my mom’s side, had an entire shelf of his movies on VHS. The kind you had to rewind and slide lovingly back into the cardboard sleeve. Some were grainy black-and-whites. Some went over my head. But a few of them —“True Grit,” “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “The Cowboys”— lit a fuse in me. The kind that makes you want to ride a horse, speak the truth, and do the right thing, even when it’s hard.
That’s why the 2025 Annual John Wayne Day Weekend Celebration in Fort Worth caught my attention. It’s more than just nostalgia — it’s a chance for fans to come together and honor the man, the myth, the “Duke.”
Running May 24–26, the celebration unfolds at John Wayne: An American Experience in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The entire weekend is a tribute to Wayne’s legacy — on screen and off.
One of the standout events is a VIP experience called “Coffee with the Waynes,” where fans can hear personal stories from John Wayne’s family.
“When we first planned a family meet‑and‑greet in Fort Worth, I thought it was a wild idea,” said Wayne’s son Ethan, recalling that inaugural celebration. “But the response was overwhelming. Hundreds showed up to share their memories, and the love for my dad was heartwarming. It showed me just how much he continues to inspire.”
Saturday kicks off with daytime museum hours and hands-on activations — custom cowboy hats, leatherwork stations, and a guest appearance by Jimmy Don Holmes, who’ll be signing his signature metal art pieces. That evening, the pace slows for a more intimate VIP session featuring museum access, photo ops with the Wayne family, and tastings from Duke Spirits — whiskey and tequila inspired by the “Duke’s” own palate.
Then there’s Sunday night: a new addition to the lineup. The John Wayne Family Estates Wine Dinner at Los Vaqueros features a Duke-inspired menu, live music by Moses Rangel, Buck Taylor’s artwork, and the kind of crowd that probably knows every line of “The Shootist” by heart.
Wayne’s legacy stretches well beyond the Stockyards. Since the late 1960s, John Wayne Day has been celebrated in states from Arizona to New York. In 2015, Texas made it official, declaring May 26 as John Wayne Day. With its roots in grit, storytelling, and old-school values, the Fort Worth museum feels like a natural home for a weekend like this.
John Wayne’s influence reaches far beyond film. His image — stoic, principled, weather-worn — has become shorthand for a certain kind of American ideal. Patriotism. Loyalty. Toughness. Doing the right thing when it costs you something.
That’s why I keep going back to those old films. Not just to remember John Wayne, but to remember the kind of person I want to be.
So if you’re looking for something a little different this Memorial Day weekend — something with heart, history, and a little swagger — you might want to saddle up and head to the Stockyards.
As for why John Wayne still matters, Ethan puts it simply:
“I do know that he was a good man who inspired people to be better. His films reflect strong moral values — doing the right thing even when it’s hard. His characters embodied honesty and rugged individualism, which still inspire people today.”
