Welcome to the
Royal Gorge Rodeo Association!!!!
Canon City, Colorado
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Welcome to the
Royal Gorge Rodeo Association!!!! |
HISTORY OF ROYAL GORGE RODEO ASSOCIATION
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This photo was taken in 1937 and shows an arena being put
up by, from left to right: Roy Best, RayMcCurry, Pop Olehi, Charlie Goodale Grant Adkisson. |
There is
one annual celebration which has been recognized in Canon City for 130
years. To the citizens of Fremont County it is much more than a
rodeo. It is something of a homecoming and a celebration honoring
the pioneers of the area.
The first event was in 1872 and it soon became known as the "Old
Settlers Reunion". this began the custom of honoring the
pioneers of the community. This was cattle country and throughout
the long history of the annual celebration the cattlemen and their cowboys
have had a prominent part in providing the entertainment.
In the days of Buffalo Bill it became a "Wild West Show" and
later the royal Gorge Roundup. Now the famous show is known as a
Pioneer Celebration and the "Royal Gorge Rodeo".
Among the "Old Timers" who were active in producing the early
shows were Woody Higgins, Charles Canterbury Sr., Dudley P. VanBuskirk,
W.A. Chapson, Elmer Canterbury, Clyde Chess, George Green, Ted Harding,
W.A. MacKenzie, Ed Stinemeyer, and Frank Stinemeyer.
To these and others whose names are not so familiar are due the credit for
keeping alive the spirit of the celebration. With the passing of
time these pioneers became less active and interest in the annual reunion
seemed to be wanting.
Then in 1937 a
group of younger men took over and decided to put on a modern rodeo and
racing program. The old fair grounds in the north part of town,
which had been the scene of the wild west shows and roundups, was no
longer available so the event was staged in Hollywood Flats, site of the
new Veterans Memorial Park.
The event was
successful and its' sponsors organized the Canon City Rodeo
Association. Through the efforts of W.A. MacKenzie and Roy Best, the
present site was secured for a permanent home for the show. Then
began the building of stands, stables, chutes, and corrals. Most of
the material was donated by the Speedway Corp.
and came from an old hotel they were dismantling in Salida. With
volunteer labor, bleachers were built to seat 800 and a successful show
was staged in 1940.
The present
grandstand was built from plans draw2n by John Beaton in 1952. Much
of the materials and most of the labor was donated. The plans were
approved and Beaton appointed chairman of the building committee on May
10. Through the cooperation of many public spirited citizens a
remarkable feat was accomplished and 27 days later the grandstand was completed.
The show opened on June 8, the finishing touches added late the night
before.
In 1955 the
association provided land on which the Fremont County 4-H Council
constructed buildings. They have a 99 year lease paying $1.00 a
year. These are used for their annual fair, 4-H meetings, and other
activities. The Association was incorporated as a non-profit
organization in 1939. No member collects any wages and gives of
their labor, time and material to constantly upgrade the facilities.
In the last 12
years they have completely rebuilt all of the corrals, using pipe with
metal posts. They have also built new bleachers, added metal bucking
chutes, put in new water lines everywhere. Members have updated the
concession stands and other areas. Any monetary gain from events are
used for the needed improvements.
The grounds are
open to the public at all times, except for reserved dates for
events. There are gymkhanas, County Fair, Barrel Racing, Horse
shows, Rodeos, Circus, Team Penning, Dog Training & shows, Metal
Detectors, Bike Rodeos, Campouts, and more held on the grounds.
The association
has 24.16 acres of ground where the first rodeo was held in 1939, and have
had a rodeo at this site every year since.
The annual "Royal
Gorge Rodeo" is held every year on the first weekend in May. The
weekend is filled with a Sunrise Lions Breakfast, Cowboy Church and Bull Riding,
all in conjunction with the Canon City Music & Blossom Festival. We
hope to see you all there!!
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