STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO.- The City of Steamboat Springs' longest standing tradition continues with the 103rd Annual Cowboys' Roundup Days Fourth of July Celebration. For over a century, Steamboat Springs has celebrated Independence Day with rodeo, fireworks and a parade. Today is no different combining town tradition with activities the whole family can enjoy including pro rodeos, ranch rodeo, live music concerts, art shows, a cattle drive and a ranch tour. Festivities to celebrate the holiday will begin Friday, June 30 and last through Tuesday, July 4.
"The Yampa Valley is proud of its Western heritage, and holds on tight to tradition," said Sandy Evans Hall, executive vice president of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. "We've got something for everyone in a Fourth of July Celebration fit for the entire family."
Monday, July 4th will feature the traditional Independence Day events, starting off with a community pancake breakfast, and the annual parade down Lincoln Avenue. This year's parade theme is "Honoring our Hometown Heritage" and who better to serve the honor of Parade Marshals than Ray Heid and his wife Franziska. Ray Heid was born and raised in Steamboat Springs, learned to ski at the age of three at Howelsen Hill, and is one of Steamboat's 69 Olympians. The also owns and runs his late brother's ranch, Del's Triangle 3 Ranch, with his son Perk and their families where they offer horseback riding year round. This traditional small town parade includes participants from groups and businesses in town who compete for Best Float Theme, Best Group, Best Commercial and Best Use of Parade Theme. Outside of the fireworks, this is the most well attended event of the weekend.
The Tread of Pioneer Museum's Pioneer Days block party following the parade will feature a free concert with the 13-member Alpen Brass Ensemble presented by Strings in the Mountains, free "Routt Beer Floats," free admission to the museum children's activities and more. The day's events will culminate with a grand finale of fireworks at Howelsen Hill immediately following the ProRodeo. The Steamboat Springs fireworks are one of the biggest displays of pyrotechnics in Colorado, and the only show that launches fireworks from four locations.
Steamboat Springs' main street, Lincoln Avenue, was built wide enough so cattle could be driven through town to the train depot. Experience a revival of the days of yesteryear, as ranchers will drive 100 pair of cattle down Lincoln Avenue during the Saddleback Ranch Cattle Drive at 10 a.m., Sunday, July 2 sponsored by F.M. Light & Sons and Soda Creek Western Mercantile. The same cattle will later test the skills of local ranch hands as they go head to head to prove who is the best ranch in the Mountain Valley Bank Ranch Rodeo.
The Mountain Valley Bank Ranch Rodeo differs from the ProRodeo in that it will feature 20 teams of 4 cowboys doing cattle chores regularly performed on area ranches. Contestants have to catch and saddle their horses and then in any order: pen a steer, rope and mock brand a calf, rope and mock doctor a calf and rope and milk a cow. Teams hail from local ranches in Steamboat Springs, Clark, Yampa, Kremmling and Walden. Competition begins at 5:00 p.m. and admission is free. A community concert featuring the Yampa Valley Boys will play their special brand of music and cowboy poetry before the rodeo from 4:30-5:00 p.m.
The Community Agricultural Alliance in cooperation with the CSU Extension office will provide a ranch tour July 2 from 1-4 p.m. This unique behind the scenes tour of two private ranches in Routt County includes stops at the Highlands Meadows Sheep Ranch and the M&M Elk Ranch. Ranchers Greg Brown and Tom Cox will explain their livestock operations and offer insights with on-hands experiences. Knowledgeable guides from Community Agriculture Alliance, Historic Routt County and CSU Routt County Extension Service will accompany participants to provide a historical perspective on how the area's ranching heritage has evolved and changed over the years. Reservations can be made by calling Steamboat Central Reservations at 877-754-2269, or visiting www.steamboatsummer.com.
For 103 years, Steamboat Springs has celebrated its western heritage with its Fourth of July Cowboys' Round Up Days. What was once the largest cattle shipping station in the United States has remained a place where cowboys have gathered to show off their skills. The Steamboat Springs ProRodeo Series allows an opportunity for cowboys to compete and spectators to experience real western heritage as an entire community. ProRodeo competition will be featured Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday night.
Steamboat Springs is well endowed with cultural amenities and historically preserved points of interest. Visitors will be able to enjoy several outdoor concerts, and the 5th Annual Art on the Mountain hosted by the Steamboat Ski Area Saturday and Sunday. Historic walking tours also feature many of Steamboat Springs' landmarks. Information and maps for these tours are available at the Steamboat Springs Visitors Center and the Tread of Pioneers Museum. For more information online visit www.steamboatsummer.com.
FRIDAY, June 30
5:30 p.m. Steamboat Springs Free Concert Series: Chicago Blues Review, Howelsen Hill
7:30 p.m. Steamboat Springs ProRodeo, Romick Arena
SATURDAY, July 1
8:00 a.m. 15th Annual Springs Creek Memorial Run, Steamboat Springs Running Series
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Old Town Farmer's Market, Courthouse Lawn, Downtown Steamboat Springs
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 5th Annual Art on the Mountain, Steamboat Ski Area, Gondola Square
7:30 p.m. Steamboat Springs ProRodeo, Romick Arena
8:00 p.m. Strings in the Mountains Presents Musical Fireworks, Strings Festival Park
SUNDAY, July 2
10 a.m. Saddleback Ranch Cattle Drive, Lincoln Avenue Sponsored by F.M. Light & Sons and Soda Creek Mercantile
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 5th Annual Art on the Mountain, Steamboat Ski Area, Gondola Square
Noon Routt County Pioneer Picnic, Steamboat Springs Rodeo Grounds
1:00-2:30 p.m. Working Ranch Horse Competition, (FREE) Romick Arena, sponsored by Steve Elkins & Harry Thompson of Prudential Realty
1:00-4:00 p.m. Heritage Ranch Tour, Highlands Meadows Sheep Ranch and M & M Elk Ranch
5:00 p.m. Mountain Valley Bank Ranch Rodeo (FREE), Romick Arena
7:00 p.m. Strings in the Mountains Presents Brent Rowen and Friends, Music Festival Park
6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, Old Town Lions Club, Lincoln Park Community Center (1255 Lincoln Avenue)
9:15 a.m. The Inaugural Fourth of July Rollerskiing Sprint, Lincoln Avenue
9:30 a.m. 14th Annual Steamboat Sprint, part of the Steamboat Springs Running Series, Lincoln Avenue
10:00 a.m. First National Bank of Steamboat Springs Cowboys' Roundup Days Parade, Lincoln Avenue
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Art on the Mountain, Steamboat Ski Area, Gondola Square
11:00 a.m. Pioneer Day Block Party featuring a FREE community concert with Alpen Brass presented by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Strings in the Mountains Music Festival, 800 Oak Street
5:00 p.m. The Inaugural Fourth of July Ski Jumping Competition, Howelsen Hill
7:00* p.m. Steamboat Springs ProRodeo, Romick Arena
9:30 p.m. Fireworks at Howelsen Hill
* Indicates early start time
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