Middle Park Fair and Rodeo Tradition

Since the beginning rodeo has been a big part of the western way of life in Grand County. Starting in the early 1900's here in Kremmling to the 1940's, where rodeos were held at the Historic Holzwarth Ranch inside Rocky Mountain National Park. In the 1930's rodeo' were originally held where Carquest Auto Parts in Granby is now, then moving to the Flying Heels Rodeo Arena east of town, where the tradition continues with the Granby Rodeo Series.  The Middle Park Fair and Rodeo first began on the main street of Kremmling, when after a cowboy was thrown into a brick wall, the land was donated to build the current fairgrounds, where 107 years later we still spend a week honoring our Western traditions. The High Country Stampede Rodeo located in Fraser began in 1983 and 40 years later is still going strong with its weekly series in July and August.

Many of the local guest ranches held weekly gymkhanas or rodeos for their guests, Beavers Lodge in Winter Park, The Winding River Ranch in Grand Lake, The C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, The Drowsy Water Ranch near Granby, and many others, and at one time there were 36 guest ranches from Rocky Mountain National Park to Coffey Divide. 

 

For many years the Middle Park Fair and Rodeo was sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and now is sanctioned by the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association. Join us on Sunday afternoon to watch top cowboys and cowgirls compete in Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and the crowd's favorite Bull Riding.

 

The Fair is also host to the Annual Junior Rodeo. Kids from 5-18 years old compete in Steer Riding, Jr Bull Riding, Breakaway Roping, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and Team Roping. Thursday night is when the action takes place in the main rodeo arena.