Estes Park, Colorado, save the date for July 5-10th because the Rooftop Rodeo 2021 is rolling into town! Featuring professional cowboys and cowgirls from all over the world, the Rooftop Rodeo is a PRCA sanctioned rodeo. This is what you call the NFL of rodeo.Â
You might be curious as to why this rodeo is named, “Rooftop Rodeo”. The rodeo is not located on a rooftop as you may think. The rodeo itself dates back to 1908 but the title was established in 1941 because of Estes Park’s altitude of 7,500-feet. The Rooftop Rodeo is known as being the highest altitude for any rodeo competition in America and its tag line is, “Rodeo with Altitude!”. Interestingly enough, in the early days of this sport at Estes Park, the term “rodeo” was not used. Instead, they would advertise this event as the “Frontier Days”, “Wild West Show”, and a “Broncho Busting Contest”.
A little backstory of Estes Park, a pioneer named Joel Estes, was the first longtime settler of Estes Park. Joel Estes homesteaded in the area in 1863. While only staying in the valley for a few years, Joel and his wife opened the path to the discovery of the area by white settlers. They weren’t the first human occupants of the valley though, for centuries before, the native Arapahoe and Ute lived and hunted in the valley. Many features of the valley are named by these early occupants.
There is plenty to do and see for all ages in Estes Park and the surrounding area. The views are gorgeous, you can enjoy hiking trails and trail rides in the Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding Roosevelt National Forest. If you’re down to shop there’s plenty of shopping downtown Estes Park. For more information on what to do in the Estes Park area please click here.
You’ll have an opportunity to take a tour behind the chutes to see where all the action happens. You’ll be able to meet contestants, the stock contractor, and the arena crew who will give you more insight and details into the sport of rodeo. This is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have to the pros themselves. You’ll get to participate in some mock events, meet the clowns, see the livestock, and get a tour of the arena equipment. Tours are available at 5:00 PM and you can purchase your Behind the Chutes Tour Tickets in advance along with your rodeo tickets. For more Behind the Chutes tour information click here.
Every night of the rodeo there will be a chance for 10 very lucky cowboys and cowgirls to compete in mutton bustin. Each night, six spots are offered to the first six kids to fill out an application for that night. The remaining four spots for the mutton bustin are chosen via a lottery. For more information, if you are interested in signing your child up for mutton bustin, please click here.
Every night gates open at 5:00 pm and the rodeo kick-off show will start at 6:30 pm nightly. The rodeo itself will kick off at 7:00 PM each night. There will be food vendors so bring your appetite, grab some food, and a cold one! It’s time to relax and soak in the rich western atmosphere. Grab your tickets now and come enjoy this rich rodeo with your loved ones. We’ll see you at the Rooftop Rodeo!
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