Summertime means rodeos to the boots and hat set and you can take in all sorts of western fun and excitement at a rodeo near you. But where do you go if you want to see the biggest and best rodeo in the country? Well, according to most folks in the know, the answer to that question would be Cheyenne, Wyoming. The annual Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration takes place from July 20 - 29 and promises to be a heck of a show. Here's what you need to know before you go.
A truly historic event
The ever exciting Cheyenne Frontier Days event has been taking place in Wyoming ever since 1897. That means this year's festival is the 116th for the event dubbed "The Daddy of 'em All." The event features a world class rodeo, country western music legends, a carnival, an air show and both educational and recreational activities for visitors of all ages.
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been voted the Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) for eight years running. This year looks to be no exception. The Championship Bull Riding (CBR) World Champion will be awarded during this year's event. This bull riding spectacular is part of the daily rodeo and features dozens of the country's best bulls. Tickets start at around $14 per day with rodeo events taking place June 21 - 29.
Big name music acts
I visited the Cheyenne Frontier Days event during a childhood vacation. We watched the rodeo during the day and saw country music superstar Barbara Mandrell in concert that night. That was my first big concert, and it was a lot of fun. This year, visitors can see Merle Haggard, Reba McIntire, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Hank Williams Jr., the Zac Brown Band, Journey, Pat Benatar and more. Tickets for nightly concerts begin at about $38 per person.
Thrills and chills
In addition to the rodeo and music events, visitors can check out a thrilling air show by the USAF Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds have been flying at the Cheyenne Frontier Days since 1953 and will be back again this year. This event is free to the public.
Visitors looking for a little more excitement can enjoy the rides and attractions at the carnival. Single ride tickets are available, but armbands that allow unlimited rides can be a better deal, especially if you are staying for multiple days.
Those are some of the thrills, now for the chills. One of the things that took us by surprise when my family visited the Cheyenne Frontier Days event many years ago was the weather. We were used to summertime in Oklahoma, where the average highs were in the upper 90's to low 100's and the evenings were still sticky and hot. Things are usually a lot cooler in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Average highs in July are only in the low 80's and the nights can get downright chilly. Make sure you bring a jacket if you will be sticking around for evening events.
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