07/01/2019 Day 22 Cody WY

Tonight we go to Cody Cattle Company for dinner and a show!

And, last night we went to the Cody Stampede Xtreme Bullriding!! 

Cody is the "Rodeo Capitol of the World." From the turn of the century, rodeos and parades have been part of the 4th of July here in Cody, Wyoming. Officially starting in 1919, the Cody Stampede rodeo has been held every summer this event established Cody as not only one of the longest running successful professional rodeos, but also the only place in the country that has a rodeo performance nightly. 

Night after night, Cody proves that we are rodeo, all summer long! With our two distinct rodeos, the Cody Nite Rodeo every night from June 1st - August 31st, and the Cody Stampede July 1st - 4th, we continue to make our mark in the rodeo world. Rodeo's history in Cody started over one hundred years ago with Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show. Buffalo Bill was quick to recognize the fascination the public had for the Wild West and the need to preserve a part of what was soon to become civilized. Tryouts for the Wild West Show were held right behind the Irma in what is now the parking lot. Theses rodeos, tryouts and parades were common although the Wild West show itself was never formally held in Cody.

In 1913 Buffalo Bill closed his Wild West Show for the last time. That summer he hosted one last parade and rodeo in Cody for the prince of Monaco. Buffalo Bill passed away in 1917, ending a fascinating chapter in the story of the American West. In 1919 Clarence Williams spear headed the effort to establish a rodeo celebration to Cody to commemorate Buffalo Bill Cody and the "Old West" he personified. Williams timed the event to coincide with the day the East Gate opened into Yellowstone Park running from June 23 to June 25, 1919. The following year, with Caroline Lockhart as president, the Cody Stampede was moved to the 4th of July. After the parade and rodeo, dancing and gambling were a part of the celebration at night in the Wolfville Hall.

As you can see, this is BIG stuff here in Cody. This is the 100th anniversary of the Stampede. 

Tonights Stampede was bullriding only, we also have tickets on the 3rd forthe rest of the rodeo activities (Broncos, roping, etc). These bull riders come from all over the country & Canada to compete in this. There was even a bull rider from Fruitland Park Fl. 
Here’s some pics of the riders (My oh my) 

Here’s some of the flag procession 
Besides the bull riders, there’s the clowns & rope herders to distract the bull riders if/when they fall. It’s pretty intense & these guys did a great job. This guy is the clown in the barrel & then he entertained doing some awesome tricks on a motorcycle! He’s spinning the bike in circles around him! 
This guys is spinning a 50ft lasso as he rides! I have a few videos of the bullriding I’ll post on Facebook, and Mr Charley brought his camera, so he could zoom in better for some good shots. I should mention, with over 20 entries only 5 guys made it to 8 seconds. 
I’ll close with a pic of the winner getting his new buckle and his bio. 

Have a good one everybody, we’re sure trying to