Rich in tradition and heritage dating back to the late 1800s, this community celebration that was started to honor local potato farmers, has grown into an internationally acclaimed festival attracting more than 250,000 people annually from the United States and beyond.
Officially christened the Greeley Spud Rodeo in 1922, the event featured bucking bronc riding, fancy roping, a pie eating contest, a horse race, motorcycle and bicycle races and a two-mile Model-T Ford “free for all” race. Estimated attendance at that first official festival was 2,500 people.
In an effort to give the event some national recognition the Greeley Spud Rodeo era ended and, thus, began the age of the “Go West with Greeley” Rodeo. The name taken from the famous phrase by the city’s name sake, Horace Greeley, who said “Go west young man. Go west.”
The Greeley Independence Stampede entitlement came in 1972 by means of a community contest and featured pro rodeos, kids rodeo, country and classic rock concerts, televised Fourth of July parade, demolition derby, carnival midway, western art show, free stage entertainment and it was all mixed with food and fun galore!
Hundreds of activities are happening around the park during this year’s 12-day festival (June 23-July 4), below are a couple highlights we recommend:
Get your tickets early to see Colorado’s largest demolition derby on Monday, July 4. The annual sellout event will keep you on the edge of your seats, especially for the full size RV heat that has become a crowd favorite.
Take time to shop at one of the 75 plus commercial vendor booths located on Main Street, under the Stampede Arena grandstands, and inside the Stampede Events Center. The Events Center has lots to offer, it is air-cooled, houses the Western Art Show, has a beverage bar and lounge area, the Spur Club hospitality area, plenty of rest rooms, and many vendor booths, including a Roper & Stetson Apparel store which will provide free daily specials.
The Stampede is celebrating its 95th annual event June 23-July 4, 2016. For more information and a full event schedule visit www.greeleystampede.org/.
Photo credit: Randy Owens Photography