This early rodeo type event had many of the same features as modern rodeo but with less sophistication. Take, for instance, the following description of the official judging of the bucking horse event.

"The feature of the afternoon, of course, was the bucking horses. The horsemanship displayed in these contests, could scarcely have been better, and in the face of the riding done by all contestants, the judges threw up their hands and refused to go on record as declaring any one man the winner."

Of course, today, the rodeo clown is an absolutely essential part rodeo. As the following exert from the 1908 Mountaineer article demonstrates, the clown was also quite important.

"… the real feature of the show, as far as fun was concerned, was A.G. Birch, dressed as a clown. Scarcely a one on the grounds knew Mr. Birch in his strange rig, and his funny stunts filled every gap between the exciting events. The clown divided his time between a burro, wearing trousers of the national colors and a wooden horse, which he endeavored to enter in the bucking contest. When it became whispered around who the clown really was, there were repeated calls for his appearance, and he graciously responded."

The Beginning of the "Rooftop Rodeo" 1941

Contrary to what the accompanying picture might indicate the title "Rooftop Rodeo" was not adopted because of advertising signs attached to roofs by rodeo Queens. The title was actually introduced in 1941 because of Estes Park’s 7500 foot altitude. It was billed as the highest altitude for any rodeo competition in America.

In 1948 rodeo in Estes was going full swing. The Estes Park Trail (June 25, 1948) reported that Dale Stoner, Mrs. Ruth Herndon, Harold Alps, George Hix, Frank Hicks, Everett May, Art Card, and Jap Edmonds along with the Estes Park Rodeo Association committee officers discussed topics such as banners and flags for the Stanley Field Rodeo Grounds and whether or not to change the raffle prize from a horse and saddle to a new car. Considering a new car as the raffle prize is interesting because in the early 1900s Estes Park had adopted the title of "The Horse Capital of the Nation." This title was appropriate because horses were the primary means of transportation and almost everyone owned at least one horse. Times were changing.

Estes Park’s Rodeo Queens

The first Queen of "America’s Rooftop Roundup" was selected in 1941. She was supposed to be selected by applause of the spectators at the Riverside Ballroom the night before the parades and rodeos began. Candidates were entered by local business houses, hotels and lodges. They were scheduled to parade "in western raiment" while the audience "Yoohooed" for their first choices.

The TRAIL reported that "…the yoohooing angle is currently being given national attention through wire services." There was actually an effort to make the queen the "Nations first official yoohooing queen." Men stationed at Lowry Field and Fort Logan were especially invited for their Yoohooing ability. It was later reported that "the ballot method was used, rather than applause, to give judges, Thomas Canfield of St. Paul, Minn., Moses Baum of Chicago and Harold Alps of Estes Park, more definite reactions of the large crowd. One ballot was provided each spectator, voting as he or she saw fit. Candidates were also given liberal volumes of applause and yoohoos. Applause was so spirited and close in some instances it would have been practically heart breaking for judges to make a decision, queen committee members reported."

Lana Turner, Hollywood movie star with MGM, was to be the honorary queen of that 1941 Rooftop Roundup. She was named by local cowboys in May when she visited the area for a LOOK Magazine travel feature. Humphrey Bogart of Warner Brothers was named honorary parade marshal.

The competition for queen was won by Patty Moomaw out of a field of sixteen candidates. She was awarded an engraved trophy, the honor of opening the Rooftop Roundup and leading the Rooftop Parade. She was also to have been greeted by Miss Turner, but Hollywood business kept her from attending. She received wired greetings and led the parade with parade marshal Judge Hackett. Mr. Bogart was also not able to attend.

In 1942, possibly because of the United States increases involvement in World War II, it appears that the scale of the rodeo was less than the previous year. The Queen, for instance, was selected by a group of tourists during the first day’s parade. Barbara Enright was selected as the "Roundup Queen." (1942, vol XXII August 14 Trail) No evidence is available that suggests there was a rodeo in 1943

In 1944, an effort was made to reinstitute the rodeo and queen. The Trail reported that "At the Stanley Park the third annual rodeo was held Friday and Saturday of this week." (1944 Vol. XXII Friday August 18, 1944.) Based on gate receipts they lost $1,900.00. It is not clear why the reporter of the day referred to the 1944 rodeo as Estes Park’s "third annual rodeo" when evidence exists of rodeo type events being produced in Estes Park as early as 1908.

Rita Bachy, Miss Estes Park, presided over the shows at the Park. The S.P.O. and the Liverymen’s association and the Two Bars Seven Ranch put on the show.

The following is a list of rodeo queens from 1941 to present.

Note: As the author of this little bit of history, I have endeavored to report the history of Rodeo in Estes Park as completely and accurately as possible. However, as any old cowboy will tell you, there is a big difference between endeavoring and doing. So, I ask for the help of any reader who may have new information, documentation, or corrections that will make this piece better. Please call the rodeo office at 970-586-6104

References:
Bush, M. (Summer, 1984). Rooftop Rodeo. Estes Park Museum.