Since the completion of the John Wayne: An American Experience in late 2020, The Duke’s family has been hosting an annual celebration in accordance with John Wayne Day, which has been official in Texas since 2015.

This year will feature a full weekend honoring John Wayne with exclusive museum access, custom chain stitching, tastings from Gold Handle Coffee, Wayne Family Estates wine and Duke Spirits, book signings, photo opportunities with the Wayne family, and more.

Wayne’s eldest granddaughter Anita Swift says they are expecting well over 1,000 people throughout the weekend and in the past, some have traveled as far as Argentina and Japan. The entire family has been overwhelmed by the support of the event since Day 1.

“It’s a fabulous response we have gotten from the Stockyards and the people of Texas and everyone from around the world,” Swift said. “We were very happy to find our home here in the Stockyards.”

For Swift and the rest of the family, it’s a unique experience, most people already know the stories about their grandfather, but the Waynes hear hundreds of new ones about theirs every single year.

“Everybody’s got a John Wayne story it seems like,” she said. “He was a touchstone (for a lot of people). I’ve never heard a bad story.”

You can find more information on the celebration and purchase VIP tickets here.