Grand Marshall

Wynn Covieo

Wynn Covieo was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. He attended Ogden City Schools and graduated from Ogden High School in 1967.

Wynn’s life dramatically changed in 1969 when he was drafted into the army. He saw extensive combat while serving with the 101st Airborne in South Vietnam.

After his honorable return, Wynn attended Weber State College. He married Roxanne Russell and together they have four daughters, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. He enjoyed a successful 40-year career at Hill Air Force Base.

During his growing-up years, Wynn learned to appreciate the western way of life while visiting his grandparents’ ranch in Grouse Creek, Utah.

Community service was a driving force that led Wynn to participate in and eventually chair numerous community boards and committees. They included, Chairman of the Ogden Pioneer Days Committee and Pioneer Heritage Foundation, Ogden River Parkway, Ogden East Bench Trails, Ogden Nature Center, Christmas Village Committee and Eccles Dinosaur Park.

He is most pleased to have brought The National Day of the American Cowboy to Ogden Pioneer Days where Cowboys and Cowgirls from each of Utah’s 29 counties are recognized for their continued support of the western way of life on one night of the rodeo.

He also had the vision for The Whoopie Girls riding team who ride in each night’s rodeo carrying sponsor-recognition flags.

His favorite contribution was originating the Trail to Pioneer Days, the prominent displays of life-sized horses and decorated by area artists found throughout Ogden during the Pioneer Days celebration.

In 1997, Wynn was recognized by Utah’s Governor as the State’s Civic Volunteer of the year.

In his retirement, Wynn spends as much time as possible in Grouse Creek maintaining the family ranch and restoring a tie cabin brought to Grouse Creek from the Rail Road Town of Lucin.

He is thrilled and humbled by this recognition.

Alan & Jeanne Hall

Alan and Jeanne Hall are dedicated community advocates who generously devote their time, talents, and financial resources to enriching the lives of individuals and families across the state.

For over fifty years, they have actively participated in a wide range of volunteer roles within their church and numerous educational and nonprofit organizations.

Their extensive service to Ogden Pioneer Days has been particularly rewarding, as they have collaborated with others to transform it into northern Utah’s largest community event.

Through the Hall Foundation, Alan and Jeanne have not only supported many vital causes but have also successfully led multiple capital campaigns.

Their entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, as they continue to launch and support new business ventures, driving positive change and growth in their community.

Troy & Shelly Bullard

Troy and Shelly Bullard are honored to be the grand marshals for this year’s Ogden Pioneer Days. They are both products of Roy and attended high school together.

The Ogden Rodeo has been a long-time family tradition for them.

The past several years have especially been enjoyable as they have been sponsors of both the rodeo and Miss Rodeo Utah.

Troy and Shelly have lasting memories of friends and fun at the rodeo. Some years, they attended three and four nights. One highlight has been helping to give the children at the Boys and Girls Club the opportunity to attend the rodeo. Another has been getting to know many of the rodeo royalty and their families over years.

Troy and Shelly have had the opportunity to live in several locations around the globe, but the past 20 years have been spent living and working in the Ogden community. Four months ago, they moved to Idaho to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Living away will never diminish their love for the wonderful people in the Ogden area.

David & Ronda Wadman

David and Ronda Wadman are happy and honored to the be the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration. Both David and Ronda have enjoyed the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo since their youth. Wadman Corporation has been a title sponsor for the past 20 years and have felt it a privilege to participate in this community event.

The Wadmans make their home in the Ogden Valley where they raised their six children. Those children have all grown and married and now David and Ronda are enjoying the blessings of 24 grandchildren. The Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo has been a great family tradition they look forward to every year.

The thrills, the spills, the patriotic feeling, the clowns, the cowgirls and cowboys, the horses, the bulls, the sheep the motorcycles are some of the Wadman’s favorite memories. David and Ronda feel that Pioneer Days is a great time to celebrate the courage and strength of our pioneer ancestors, who willingly left their comfortable lives to be able to worship God and live with freedom to choose. They came to a new place and faced many challenging experiences. Faith in God, our country and family values are important to David and Ronda. They said, “The Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration helps us enjoy these great values as they remind us of what is important in our lives.” They added, “May we be as brave and courageous as our pioneer ancestors as we face the challenges of our days and live up to the values and principles as they did.”

Desiree “Des” Cooper-Larsen

Our beloved Des, the heart and soul of the Ogden Pioneer Days celebration, passed away from complications related to Covid 19 in February 2021.

She was a passionate teacher, leader, mentor, advocate and friend to all. She devoted her life to her husband Kurt, her family and community.

In her youth, she qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals in barrel racing. Then danced her way on stage to win Miss Lehi, soon followed by the title of Miss Rodeo Lehi. In 1979, she went on to become Miss Rodeo Utah and then went on to win the coveted speech award at Miss Rodeo America. Des was known for her sense of style, strong determined spirit and larger-than-life presence.

Des earned her masters and bachelors degrees from Utah State University in Marketing Education. As a Professor of Professional Sales at Weber State University (WSU), she was twice honored with the Utah Association of Marketing Educators Teacher of the Year Award. Des shared her expertise with thousands of students during her 36 years as a professor, and provided customer service and sales training to national and local Fortune 500 companies.

Des worked endlessly for over thirty years to build a world class PRCA Hall of Fame Rodeo. She will be remembered for her successful efforts to make the Ogden-based rodeo a Top 5 PRCA Rodeo of the Year. Des is the one and only woman to chair the celebration in its 86-year history and was President of the Miss Rodeo Utah Executive Board, as well as a member of the Miss Rodeo America Foundation Board.

This year’s Ogden Pioneer Days will be especially meaningful as we return to celebrate the great pioneer spirit of our community, and the memory of our Grand Marshall honoree, Desiree Cooper-Larsen.