STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - A myriad of celebrations with a western flare come together in Steamboat Springs this Fourth of July weekend. This year's Cowboys' Roundup Days celebration combines 102 years of traditional events with new events and activities the whole family can enjoy including live music concerts, theatrical performances, art shows, a cattle drive and a ranch tour. Festivities to celebrate the holiday will begin Friday, July 1 and last through Monday, July 4.
"We've gone over the top this year offering visitors and residents a Fourth of July Celebration they will not soon forget," said Sandy Evans Hall, executive vice president of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. "The Yampa Valley is proud of its Western heritage, and holds on tight to tradition. This year's line up of events and activities are bigger and better than ever."
New this year!
Routt National Forest and F.M. Light & Sons Turn 100
In honor of two local landmarks, this year's Fourth of July Parade theme will be, "Steamboat Springs Show Us Your Age." In celebration of F.M. Light & Son's Clothiers, this year's Parade Marshals will be Annabeth and Lloyd Light Lockhart, granddaughter of F.M. Light. F.M. Light & Sons has been outfitting the west in Steamboat Springs at its same location at 830 Lincoln Avenue since 1905. Family owned and operated for five generations, they are selling centennial merchandise and sponsoring special events all summer. No trip to Steamboat Springs is complete without stopping by this store.
The Routt National Forest's 2,883,943 acres has been an attraction in Northwest Colorado since President Teddy Roosevelt proclaimed the area a national forest in 1905. President Roosevelt spent time in this area on hunting and fishing expeditions in the early 1900s. In honor of the centennial, Teddy Roosevelt will return to Steamboat Springs July 3-4. Steve Stark, a performer from Fargo, North Dakota will appear as Teddy Roosevelt Sunday, July 3 at the Steamboat Springs Depot for a "Whistle Stop" speech and will perform Monday, July 4 at the Pioneer Days Block Party prior to the Strings in the Mountains' Alpen Brass Concert which begins immediately following the parade. It is also rumored he will ride on the Routt National Forest's float in the parade.
Ranch Tour
The Community Agricultural Alliance in cooperation with the CSU Extension office will provide a ranch tour July 3 from 1-4 p.m. This unique behind the scenes tour of three private ranches in Routt County includes stops at the Highlands Meadows Sheep Ranch, the M&M Elk Ranch and the Rocking C Bar Cattle Ranch. Ranchers Greg Brown, Tom Cox and Doc Daughenbaugh 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.
The tour is $40 per adult, $20 for teenagers and $10 for children under 13, with one free child per paying adult. Reservations can be made by calling Steamboat Central Reservations at 877-754-2269, or visiting www.steamboatsummer.com. Advance registration is required by June 28, 2005. Space is limited for this special opportunity to experience Routt County's authentic ranching heritage. Buses leave from and return to the Steamboat Springs Art Depot at 1001 13th Street.
Steamboat's Real Western Tradition Continues:
Real Rodeo
For 102 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 and Monday night.
Real Live Cattle Dirve and Cowboys
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 Soda Creek Western Mercantile Cattle Drive at 10 a.m., Sunday, July 3. The sights and sounds are a unique experience not to be missed. 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 Yampa Valley at the Ranch Rodeo.
The 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, Kremlin and Walden. Competition begins at 5:00 p.m. and admission is free. A community Heritage Concert and Dance featuring Academy of Western Artists' male vocalist of the year, Brenn Hill, will begin at the rodeo grounds at 7:00 p.m.
Real Town Celebration
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 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 performance by Teddy Roosevelt, 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. The show is also set to music and will be broadcasted by KBCR 96.9 FM.
Steamboat Springs is well endowed with cultural amenities and historically preserved points of interest. Visitors will be able to enjoy several outdoor concerts, as well as the 10th Annual High Country Garden tour, presented by The Guild of Strings in the Mountains Music Festival on Saturday, and the 4th 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.
102nd Annual Cowboys' Roundup Days Schedule of Events
July 2-4, 2005
FRIDAY, July 1
7:30 p.m. Steamboat Springs ProRodeo, Romick Arena
8:00 p.m. "From Russia with Love" Classical Gala Concert,
Strings in the Mountains Music Festival, Music Festival Park
SATURDAY, July 2
8:30 a.m. -4 p.m. 10th Annual High Country Garden Tour: begins at Music Festival Park
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Art on the Mountain, Steamboat Ski Area, Gondola Square
7:30 p.m. Steamboat Springs ProRodeo, Romick Arena
8:00 p.m. Brent Rowen and Friends, Strings in the Mountains Music Festival, Music Festival Park
SUNDAY, July 3
10 a.m. Soda Creek Western Mercantile and Saddleback Ranch Cattle Drive, Lincoln Avenue
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Art on the Mountain, Steamboat Ski Area, Gondola Square
12:30 p.m. President Teddy Roosevelt Whistle Stop Speech at the Steamboat Springs Depot
1:00-4:00 p.m. Ranch Tour, begins and ends at the Steamboat Springs Depot
5:00 p.m. Mountain Valley Bank Ranch Rodeo (FREE), Romick Arena
7:30p.m. Brenn Hill Community Concert and Dance (FREE), Romick Arena
Sponsored by Steamboat Motors and Sidney Peak Ranch
MONDAY, July 4
6:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, Old Town Lions Club, Lincoln Park Community Center (1255 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 President Teddy Roosevelt's Independence Day Speech and a FREE community concert with Alpen Brass presented by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Strings in the Mountains Music Festival, 800 Oak Street
7:00* p.m. Steamboat Springs ProRodeo, Romick Arena
9:30 p.m. Fireworks at Howelsen Hill
* Indicates early start time
The 102nd Annual Cowboys' Roundup Days is a production of the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association and the Cowboys' Roundup Days Committee. Special thanks to this year's event sponsors: First National Bank of Steamboat Springs, Soda Creek Mercantile, Saddle Back Ranch, Mountain Valley Bank, Steamboat Motors, Sidney Peak Ranch, Strings in the Mountains, The Guild of Strings in the Mountains, Tread of Pioneers Museum, Routt National Forest, SmartWool, TIC, ACE at the Curve, Native Excavating, KBCR and the City of Steamboat Springs.
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