In today’s WNFR guest post, J’Ann Wright of Rooftop Rodeo provides a recipe for putting together a great rodeo event – in this case, “a rodeo with altitude.”
You might ask just how a rodeo wins the award of Best Small Rodeo in America five times in eight years. Actually, it is a combination of a lot of great stuff. Understand that the folks who are the official voters are the professional cowboys, cowgirls, the contractors, announcers, bullfighters, and specialty acts – basically all members of the PRCA. Why would they vote the Rooftop as the best?
First, Estes Park really appreciates the cowboys and cowgirls who come to our rodeo to compete. They could go to other shows with the chance of winning more money, but they come to the Rooftop. Because of this, we do the best we can to show them first rate Rooftop hospitality.
During rodeo week, our hospitality team, in conjunction with our local restaurant sponsors, provides meals and snacks to the competitors and their families. In addition to great meals, cowboys and cowgirls have free access to a Wi-Fi connect so they can track their upcoming PRCA events. Each night, kids have a chance to win a trophy (bigger than they are) in the Mutton Bustin’ competition. Most importantly, each competitor and spectator is greeted at the gates with a welcome smile.
Competitors place high value on a rodeo that is produced professionally. Competitors and spectators enjoy great commentary from our announcer and terrific replays of the action on the jumbo-tron scoreboard. Powder River Rodeo Productions, which sends bucking stock to the National Finals Rodeo, puts together a package of competitive animal athletes and rodeo-show production like no other contractor in professional rodeo.
And let’s face it, professional cowboys and cowgirls see Estes Park as a great rodeo town. Set in the magnificent Rocky Mountains, our town and rodeo arena have to be in the most beautiful setting in America. Actually, the term “Rooftop” comes from the fact that at an altitude of just over 7,500 feet, the Rooftop is the highest professional rodeo in America. In recent years, the tag of “A rodeo with altitude” has been attached to the Rooftop. So, if you are looking for some real western/cowboy excitement, plan on being in Estes Park July 10-16, 2012.
J’Ann Wright, Ed. D. is a member of the awarding winning Rooftop Rodeo, which has won the PRCA Best Small Rodeo of Year for five of the past eight years. This year, the Rooftop Rodeo has been nominated as the PRCA Best Medium Size Rodeo. For more information on the Rooftop Rodeo contact the Estes Park Fairgrounds (970-586-6104) and check out the Rooftop Rodeo official web site at www.rooftoprodeo.com.
