story by Siri Stevens
Montrose County Fair & Rodeo is celebrating 132 years, more than 15 of those being a CPRA sanctioned event. Held the last week of July, the rodeo is usually a two-day event, but this year the fair was shortened by a few days and the weekend will be packed with not only a rodeo, but the livestock sale will happen after the morning slack. Then there will be fiddle contest before the rodeo, and a concert, that will follow the rodeo. Clare Dunn will be the featured artist, and this country singer from South Eastern Colorado will certainly draw a crowd.
The rodeo (July 28) is a super purse rodeo, with $9,000 added. In addition to the prize money, buckles, designed by Usher Brands in Arizona, will be given to the event winners and the all around winners . “We are also awarding a $25 gas card to the winners to help get them over here,” said Kim Wilson, Rodeo Committee Chair. “We are excited about this rodeo – it’s a big part of our community.”
Montrose is located in the southwestern region of Colorado, southeast of Grand Junction. The town is a gateway city for outdoor recreation, being at the base of the San Juans and the home of the Black Canyon National Park. “We are hoping to make this a bigger rodeo and be able to increase our prize money in years to come.”
Montrose County Fair & Rodeo arena – courtesy of Montrose County
