4th of July Weekend
- Carnival
- Arts & Crafts Fair
- Reunions
- Fireworks
Pagosa Springs will be busting at the seams on the 4th of July weekend when it hosts its annual Red Ryder Roundup, an event on-going for over 50 years that draws spectators from around the state, around the region, and around the world.
There is no question about it, the Red Ryder Roundup is "The Event" in Pagosa Springs – and the oldest community event of the summer. The town is packed, fun is in the air, and there is plenty of activity for everyone in the family.
The rodeo is named after the famous comic strip character, Red Ryder – the creation of noted western artist Fred Harman. A native of Pagosa Country, Harman used his experiences as a working cowboy as the basis for his paintings. Though he had no formal training as an artist, Harman was an avid supporter of the Red Ryder Roundup from its inception, and his influence carries on to make the rodeo and other events a success.
The annual Red Ryder Roundup parade down the main street of Pagosa Springs celebrates U.S. Independence Day and is held every year on 4th of July weekend. Traffic on U.S. 160 is detoured to Lewis Street while color guards, grand marshals , rodeo royalty and a wide variety of parade entries ride or march through downtown Pagosa Springs. The parade is sponsored and organized by the Pagosa Springs Rotary Club. In honor of the anniversary of the Red Ryder Roundup, the Grand Marshal for the parade will be Fred Harman III, son of Fred Harman, the Grand Marshal at the first-ever Red Ryder parade.
The holiday carnival, arts and crafts fair, reunions and traditional Independence Day fireworks display guarantee everyone an opportunity to join in the celebration.
The
rodeo takes place at the Red Ryder Roundup Arena, located at U.S. 84 and
Mill Creek Road just south of the "Y" on the east side of Pagosa
Springs. The covered bleachers and grandstand provide a shaded setting
for spectators to cheer the action and enjoy the matchless panoramic view
of the San Juan Mountain range to the east and north.
This year’s rodeo will feature bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull
riding, calf roping, dogging, team roping and "Scrambled Egg"
team roping, girl’s breakaway roping, barrel racing and kid’s barrels
for 14 and under. Stock will be provided by Buster Webb. A specialty act
– "One-Armed Bandit" – will entertain Red Ryder spectators this
year.
Rodeo organizers say they expect a good roster of bull riders at the
rodeo, filling out the ranks of this increasingly popular event.
A trophy saddle will be awarded to the all-around cowboy and cowgirl. All first-place winners will receive custom-made spurs.
The Red Ryder Roundup is sanctioned by the New Mexico and Colorado Rodeo Associations. Reserved box seat tickets are on sale at Boot Hill, located south of town on U.S. 84.
Come to the Red Ryder Roundup and see rodeo the way it was meant to be.
(Reprinted by permission of Pagosa Springs SUN)
FRED
HARMAN
ART
MUSEUM
85
Harman
Park
Drive
PO
Box
192
Pagosa
Springs,
Colorado
81147
Phone
(970)731-5785
FAX
(970)
731-4832
Contact
Museum