Following a 91-year tradition, Ogden Pioneer Days is just what you have been anticipating and hoping for this July.
So, get ready for a really, really good time for your family and friends all at an average rodeo ticket price of less than $20. We don’t think you can get any better value for your money anywhere.
As we honor our pioneer heritage and celebrate the western way of life, I am both humbled and excited to fill Alan Hall’s big cowboy boots as I succeed him as Chair of the Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation.
I’m fortunate to be riding with an incredible posse of dedicated volunteers from Foundation Trustees, Rodeo Committee Vice Chairs and over 500 volunteers across 18 committees. They are the ones who make it all happen.
As I begin my tenure, I acknowledge that we stand on the backs of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers including Ogden City mayors and council members who have preceded us. We recognize and thank them.
Ogden Pioneer Days is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and must ensure that the celebration is financially stable and run in accordance with strict business practices.
We are incredibly appreciative to our over 100 sponsors, the numerous non-profit foundations that provide grants, and most especially, to Ogden’s current Mayor and City Council. The Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium is the property of Ogden City and without the support of elected officials, Ogden’s public works, parks, police and fire departments, the celebration would not be possible.
We eagerly look forward to welcoming back nearly 1,000 contestants from over 27 states as well as International contestants from Mexico, Brazile, Canada and Australia. Smith Pro-Rodeo’s award-winning livestock will be ready to challenge every contestant, and to top it off, rodeo’s number one announcer, Roger Mooney, will call the action. And let’s not forget our favorite Rodeo Clown, John Harrison. John is the three-time national clown/comedy act of the year and loves coming to Ogden.
And don’t forget the annual Miss Rodeo Ogden and Miss Rodeo Utah Pageants, an integral part of Ogden Pioneer Days since 1955. Each July 24th, crowds are treated to a newly-crowned Miss Rodeo Utah.
Ogden Pioneer Days is the 14th most-lucrative rodeo (out of over 700) in America in terms of the money that’s paid out to participating athletes, $600,000. And we are inductees in the PRCA Rodeo Hall of Fame. Attendance last year was nearly 50,000 and we hope to sell out each night.
With our newly-renovated stadium in the west’s most-spectacular outdoor setting, I can only repeat what Roger Mooney says each night, “Rodeo fans, are you ready?”
Yes, we are Roger! So, let’s get to it.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm and please let us know how we can improve.
Tighten down your cinches and hold on, it’s the 91st edition of Ogden Pioneer Days.
Steve Handy
Chairman
