12 Major Rodeo Events Comin' atcha!
Calgary Stampede
July 413, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 800/661-1767, 403/269-9822
or www.calgarystampede.com
More than 1 million people are expected to attend this huge, 10-day Wild West celebration, with top-name musical acts, wild horse races, chuckwagon races, a stock show, fireworks and a light show, and of course the world-famous rodeo and parade. Including riders from the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, the rodeo is an excellent example of rodeo unity. The parade on July 4 is seen by more than 2 million television viewers.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
July 1927, Cheyenne, WY; 800/227-6336 or www.cfdrodeo.com.
Sometimes called "the daddy of 'em all," due to its age (founded in 1897) and size and scope, Frontier Days includes a full slate of PRCA events and a wild horse race-both featuring Native and non-Native competitors. Natives are invited to camp at what's dubbed "Indian Village," which has it's own separate events-including a powwow, a performance by the Wind River Dancers, and traditional Native flute players. Nightly entertainment will include Toby Keith, Allan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Diamond Rio and other big name country performers-reserve your tickets!
Sarcee (Tsuu T'ina) Indian Rodeo
July 2427, Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada; 403/281-4455
This is Canada's finest and largest traditional all-Indian rodeo, held 20 minutes outside of Calgary near the Sarcee-owned Red Wood Meadows Golf Course. The rodeo combines with the Annual Indian Days celebration to make for an exciting weekend up north. The rodeo features all 10 major and junior rodeo events, so every Indian cowboy and cowgirl, young and old, can compete.
Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Rodeos
Aug. 710, Gallup Red Rock, NM; 800/242-4282 or www.gallupnm.org
This notable gathering, entering its 82nd year, is home to five all-Indian pro rodeos held both day and night at the striking Red Rocks State Park. In addition, it hosts "America's only all-Indian non-mechanized parades" (meaning there are no cars included), held weekend mornings in downtown Gallup. Visitors can also observe traditional dancing and demonstrations of various arts and crafts.
Omak Stampede
Aug. 710, Omak, WA; 800/933-6625, 509/826-1983 or www.omakstampede.com
Founded in 1933, this historic gathering includes a powwow, a Native American encampment, a fine Western art show and the world-famous Suicide Race, in which horses and riders start off on a very steep hill and end after a river crossing. Very tense action; only the wildest and most adventurous cowboys need apply for this one! In July, look for the release of their new coffee- table book recording the history of this premier Pacific Northwestern event.
Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival Rodeo
Aug. 810, Fort Hall, ID; www.sho-ban.com
This rodeo-one of the most popular in Indian Country-is held during the tribe's annual Indian Festival, which includes a very popular powwow featuring many of the best dancers in the country; more than 50 arts, crafts and food concessions; parades; a juried art show; the Miss Shoshone-Bannock Pageant; a Little Princess contest; and Indian stick games (i.e., lacrosse). Add in the fast and fun pony relay race, the all-Indian rodeo and all-Indian men's and women's softball tournaments, and you have the makings of a wild and woolly get-together.
Crow Fair Rodeo
Aug. 1318, Crow Agency, MT; 406/638-3793 or www.visitmt.com
Located along the Little Bighorn River near the Custer Battlefield Memorial, the Crow Fair has been called "the teepee capital of the world" as visitors from nations throughout the world come to see the exciting powwow dancing, daily morning parades, rodeo events and wild horse race.
Michael T. Goodwin Memorial Buck-A-Rama at Schemitzun
August 21-24, North Stonington, CT; 860/396-6531 or www.schemitzun.com
This memorial event, the largest Native rodeo on the East Coast, focuses exclusively on bullriding. It will have 40 Native riders competing for $35,000 in cash and other prizes. Associated Schemitzun events include the Pequot's annual Feast of Green Corn and Dance, and more than 100 Native arts and crafts exhibits. Also, be sure to check out the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, the nation's largest Native American museum.
Annual Navajo Nation Fair
Labor Day weekend, Window Rock, AZ ; 928/871-6478 or www.navajonationfair.com
The self-described "world's largest American Indian fair" features a carnival, top-name Country/Western performers and a variety of exhibits as well as an Indian National Finals Rodeo. At the nation's largest Indian rodeo, you can check out all the best Native riders, as this event is a required stop on the way to the INFR championship. Held at the Dean C. Jackson Arena in Window Rock.
Pendleton Round-Up Rodeo
Sept. 1013, Pendleton, OR; 800/457-6336 or www.pendletonroundup.com
One of the nation's oldest rodeos, launched in 1910, is known for starting as scheduled-1:15 p.m. every day. It is often called the fastest-moving rodeo in America because of the timed precision of each event. Other attractions include parades, the Happy Canyon pageant, a Wild West show and a children's rodeo.
Indian National Finals Rodeo
Oct. 1619, Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, CA; 509/848-2854 or www.infrrodeo.com
The Indian National Finals Rodeo is where the 2003 champions will be crowned. This is THE rodeo to see. This year's finals are being held in sunny southern California and hosted by the Soboba Band of Mission Indians. If you have a favorite cowboy or cowgirl you want to see being rewarded for all their years of hard work, this is the place to be.
Wild Card Rodeo
Various locations and dates; 254/965-4382 or www.tomreeves.com
Brought to you by World Saddle Bronc Champion Tom Reeves, these rodeos will be held at various reservations and casinos throughout the West. The three-event rough stock rodeos will feature some of the best riders and stock in the world competing in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding events.
Other Notable Rodeos
White Swan Indian Days Treaty Rodeo-White Swan, WA; annually in early June; 509/865- 5121. All-Indian rodeo including a salmon feed.
Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo-Crazy Horse Memorial, SD; annually in middle of June; 605/673-4681 or www.crazyhorse.org. Located southwest of Rapid City near the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Meskwaki All-Native American Rodeo-Tama, IA; Sept. ; 800/847-6330. All-events rodeos Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday afternoon.
Fort McDowell-Fountain Hills, AZ; annually in November; 480/837-5121 or www.ftmcdowell.org. This all- Indian pro rodeo is the unofficial "after INFR party."
No comments:
Post a Comment