A CENTENNIAL of the
Reno Rodeo
Even with the buzz of the ever-growing city, every June, Reno draws back to its
roots to produce one of its greatest tradional events: The Reno Rodeo. It’s the
heart of the rodeo – the hue of dirt hovering above the arena ground as hooves
tear through the turf; ropes whipping as cowboys toss loops around their targets;
the silent prayers of cowboys loading in the chutes; the eight-second buzzer that
moves the fans into an ovaon stampede throughout the bleachers; the hung
of livestock as their workday completes; the cries of champions as they make
it one step closer to the Naonal Finals; and the cracks of reworks brilliantly
blooming then disappearing – that have kept fans coming back for a hundred
years. The Reno Rodeo unites the community for a celebraon of a sport that is
rich in history and spirit.
This year marks the centennial of the Reno Rodeo. The Wildest, Richest, Rodeo in
the West has expanded from ten days to eleven kicking o the commemoraon
with a concert sponsored by Reno’s best country radio staon KBUL FM. Not only
are they lling the arena with tunes that make everyone’s boots line up, they
have also added a new event to the roster, one that’ll make the hairs on your
face stand up: the rst ever Reno Rodeo Wildest, Richest Beard Contest. Only the
hearest of mustaches, salest of peppered beards, and those with boundless
lengths will walk away with the true western token of victory strived for by
cowboys worldwide: A Champion Buckle.
Competors from across the naon are roped in by the generous purse. Cowboys
and cowgirls venture to Reno to take their shot at a piece of the over two-
million-dollar payout up for grabs. This high-stake payday could make or break
an appearance at the Naonal Finals Rodeo.
A win at the Reno Rodeo isn’t just monetarily valuable, a victory is engraved in
history alongside renowned names such as Roy “Super Looper” Cooper, Bull
Riding guru and World Champion ary Leew, and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Joe
Alexander. No purse can ever be prized that cherishable.
With the ever-developing nature of today’s society, the Reno Rodeo is a perfect
reminder of the city’s grit, and how its roots nourished Reno in western cultures
and values for one hundred years, conserving the town where cowboys can feel
like home.
Photo courtesy of the Reno Rodeo