The Week's Activities

PRCA Rooftop Rodeo (July 10-15, 2012)
Gates open - 5:30 p.m. - Visit vendor booths, browse displays, food & beverages available. Come early to get the best seats!
Behind the Chutes Tour - 5:45 pm
Rodeo evening kickoff show each night - 6:45 or 7:00 pm
PRCA Rooftop Rodeo - 7:30 pm

Bareback bronc riding, Tie down roping, Saddle bronc riding, Steer wrestling, Team roping, Barrel racing and the ever popular Bull riding are among the PRCA sanctioned events that will entertain and astonish each evening's audience. Don't miss the antics of this year's rodeo clown or watch future cowboys and cowgirls in action during the mutton bustin and calf catch events. Join us for one of the most scenic rodeos in America, in a first-class arena nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains!

Every Rodeo Night
Gates open every evening at 5:30 p.m. Come browse the midway and shop a wide variety of vendor booths, watch special entertainment, and enjoy some great food and beverages in a true western atmosphere. Sign up for the Behind the Chutes tour at 5:45 p.m.and meet the stock contractor, contestants and volunteers. Get an up close and personal tour of the arena equipment, see the livestock and meet the clowns. This is your chance to learn more about the sport of rodeo from the pros themselves. Afterward, grab that tasty chow and a cool beverage, meet old and new friends, and settle in for the 6:45/7:00 p.m. Rodeo evening kickoff show!

Although the schedule that follows was for the 2011 Rooftop Rodeo, the 2012 Rooftop Rodeo will follow a similiar schedule.  Check back for updates of each day & evening's themes as they become available.

Monday July 11, 2011  - Ron Ball
Nationally recognized Old West cowboy singer, Ron Ball will be performing Monday evening, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Performance Park in Estes Park.  Ron has performed at such events as the Denver National Western Stock show and at Miss Rodeo Colorado, Kellsie Purdy's coronation ceremony.  Start off your week of rodeo with the music of Ron Ball.

 

 

Tuesday July 12, 2011  - Rooftop Rodeo Parade
Rodeo week festivities begin with the traditional Rooftop Rodeo Parade, 10:30 a.m., in downtown Estes Park. The 2011 parade theme is "85 Years of Raising the Rooftop". Bands, horseback riders, floats, covered wagons and horse hitches, clowns, unique automobiles, rodeo royalty and other entertainment and attractions bring a distinctively western flavor to Estes Park as the colorful entourage makes its way along Elkhorn Avenue and then on to the fairgrounds. If you have a group that would like to appear in our parade please call 970-586-1981 or 970-586-6104 for information. If you are in the parade, line up starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp - don't be left in the dust! 

- 85th Rooftop Rodeo Birthday Celebration Night
Happy 85th Birthday Rooftop Rodeo! That's right, the Rooftop Rodeo has been around for EIGHTY-FIVE years!! It first began in 1926, and 85 years later, it is bigger and better than ever! No birthday is complete without a cake, candles, and balloons, so come out and see our GIGANTIC birthday cake display and wish the Rooftop a rootin' tootin' Happy Birthday! The first 400 families will be given a commemorative birthday gift!  Combined with opening night of rodeo week it's bound to be a great time!

 

Wednesday July 13 - Golf Benefit
Shotgun start at 8 a.m. at the 18 hole golf course in Estes Park. Proceeds go toward Cancer Research and Rooftop Rodeo supported activities. Come enjoy a fun game of golf, a BBQ lunch and a chance to win a new car!  Check out the Golf Benefit page for more details.

 - Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night at the rodeo highlights Breast Cancer awareness. Anyone wearing Pink to this evening's rodeo performance will receive a ticket with a number that will be used in a drawing for a free Wrangler TETWP Western shirt!! Everyone who comes whether in pink or not will receive a Pink Ribbon Sticker. The Rooftop Rodeo is proud to be part of such an important cause. Cowboys, cowgirls, volunteers and spectators are encouraged to wear pink, a color not normally associated with the tough sport of rodeo. Show your support and join us by wearing pink!

 

Thursday July 14 - Public Safety Night
The Rooftop Rodeo would like to acknowledge and thank all Emergency Service Workers and First Responders. These dedicated men and women work hard to ensure the safety and well-being of community members and visitors alike.  Join us at 6:45pm for an exciting Emergency Services Night pre-show! This event has never been seen before in Estes Park! Representatives from different branchs of Estes Park area Emergency Services will participate in a full on Tug O' War with a team of draft horses!  It promises to be a great time! The horses, Nick and Bud, will be provided by Don and Cherie Gardner of Tender Grass Carriages.  Come cheer for your favorite team, be it human or horse!

 

Friday July 15 - Youth Day
Westernaires is a mounted precision drill organization composed of Jefferson County, Colorado, youngsters from 9 to 19 years of age. Founded in 1949, Westernaires has provided training in western riding, precision drills, and horse care for over 60 years. Some members also elect to receive training in specialty acts such as bull whips, trick riding and dressage.

Red Team division is the pinnacle of achievement within Westernaires, representing years of hard work on the part of all of its riders. They have performed at such venues as National Western Stock Show & Rodeo and now will perform for you at the Rooftop Rodeo!  This show starts early so be there in time for this 6:45 p.m. rodeo preshow!

 - Queen's Dance
 Yes it's Friday Night this year.  Same time, same place.  The Rocky Mountain Park Inn (formally the Holiday Inn) of Estes Park.  Doors open at 9 p.m. with the band Mad Cow Possee performing.  Come and have a great time with family and friends!

 

 

Saturday July 16 - Old Mexico Day/Night
Old Mexico Day will be the theme for Rooftop Rodeo day & evening. To start off the day, bring your picnic basket and blanket to beautiful downtown Bond Park from 1 - 3 pm. Sit back and enjoy authentic Mexican dancing and music with Estes Park's own Real Tequila Dancers. Join in the dancing and watch children as they try to smash the piñata and scramble for treats hidden inside.

Then it's off to Stanley Park fairgrounds and the Rooftop Rodeo to be regaled by the Tres Margaritas Vaqueros and their magnificent Andalusian Stallions. Cheer as the LIVE Mariachi Band plays, the Andalusians dance and Senoritas spin. This is an award winning event led by Ventura. Rooftop Rodeo is honored to have this spectacular tribute to the Mexican way of life, horsemanship and fiesta, embraced in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The Stanley Park Fairgrounds event starts early so be there by 6:30 pm! You won't want to miss this show!

 

Sunday July 17 - Cowboy Church Service
10:00 a.m. in the Stanley Park Fairgrounds grandstands. Everyone is welcome. 

 

- Patriots Night at the Rodeo
The Rooftop Rodeo would like to acknowledge and thank those who work to protect us from harm day in and day out.  These dedicated men and women work hard to ensure our safety and well-being.  Join us in sharing our heart-felt gratitude to these men and women.

 

Kids Activities
For the young cowboys and cowgirls who would like to get into the big arena where the professional rodeo contestants compete, they won't want to miss this year’s “Calf Catch” or "Mutton Bustin" events.  See the Kid's Events page for more details.

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