History of Cheyenne Frontier Days in Timeline

Cheyenne Frontier Days is an annual outdoor rodeo and western celebration held in Cheyenne, Wyoming, since 1897. Known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration," it attracts nearly 200,000 visitors each year. Taking place over ten days centered around the last full week of July, the event significantly impacts lodging availability throughout the region. Cheyenne Frontier Days was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008, solidifying its place in rodeo history.

1925: Rowdy parades until 1925

Until 1925, with few exceptions, the Frontier Days parades were rowdy affairs.

1926: Floats introduced to parade

In 1926, Dazee Bristol created floats for the Frontier Days parade upon request; these floats are still in use today.

1952: Pancake Breakfast Started

In 1952, the Cheyenne Frontier Committee started the free pancake breakfasts, now sponsored by the local Kiwanis chapter.

1953: Thunderbirds debut at Cheyenne Frontier Days

In 1953, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron made their public debut at Cheyenne Frontier Days and have continued to perform regularly since then.

1980: Annual Western Art Show

Circa 1980, the annual Western Art Show began taking place at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. A reception is held on the first day to kick off the art show.

1995: Touring Pro Division Debut

In 1995, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) minor league tour debuted as the Touring Pro Division.

1996: Record attendance at pancake breakfast

In 1996, the Cheyenne Frontier Days pancake breakfast set a daily record of 39,111 people served.

2001: Two-day all-bull riding event hosted

In 2001, Cheyenne Frontier Days began hosting a two-day all-bull riding event as part of its Frontier Nights activities; this event has been sanctioned by various organizations over the years.

2001: PBR Challenger Tour Event

In 2001, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) minor league tour, the Challenger Tour, had an event at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

2008: Cheyenne Frontier Days inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame

In 2008, Cheyenne Frontier Days was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, marking a significant recognition of the event's contribution to rodeo and western culture.

2010: PBR Challenger Tour Event

In 2010, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Tour event continued at Cheyenne Frontier Days, marking the end of its initial run before returning later.

2011: All-bull riding event becomes CBR regular season event

In 2011, the all-bull riding event at Cheyenne Frontier Days became a regular-season event for Championship Bull Riding (CBR).

2012: CBR World Finals event

From 2012 through 2018, the all-bull riding event at Cheyenne Frontier Days was the World Finals event for Championship Bull Riding (CBR).

2013: Cattle Drive

In 2013, the annual Cattle Drive, inspired by the Old West, saw 447 steers herded by cowboys walking three miles into Frontier Park, attracting considerable attention.

2014: PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year Award

In 2014, Cheyenne Frontier Days received the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award for the 16th time overall, and the 11th consecutive year, recognizing its prominence in the rodeo world.

2015: Cattle Drive

In 2015, the annual Cattle Drive was held in Cheyenne, Wyoming; 550 steers walked a route from a pasture north of the city, along Interstate 25, and through city streets into Frontier Park.

2018: PBR Challenger Tour Event

In 2018, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Tour event returned to Cheyenne Frontier Days.

2018: Bull-riding event sanctioned by PBR and CBR

In 2018, the annual bull-riding event at Cheyenne Frontier Days was sanctioned by both the PBR Touring Pro Division and the CBR World Finals. The latter was produced by the PBR, after which CBR ceased operations.

2019: PBR Unleash the Beast Series

In 2019, the PBR brought the Unleash the Beast Series (UTB) Last Cowboy Standing event to Cheyenne.

2020: Event cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions

In 2020, the Cheyenne Frontier Days festival, including the PBR Unleash the Beast Series event, was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

2020: Pancake breakfasts cancelled

In 2020, the free pancake breakfasts were not served.

2021: Event returns

In 2021, the Cheyenne Frontier Days festival, including the PBR Unleash the Beast Series event, returned after being cancelled the previous year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

2022: First stop of PBR's Team Series

In 2022, Cheyenne was the first stop of the PBR's Team Series, where teams of bull riders representing different regions of the United States compete against each other.

2022: PBR Challenger Series

Since 2022, the Challenger Series has been the only PBR tour in the United States that takes place during the PBR Team Series season.

2023: First stop of PBR's Team Series

In 2023, Cheyenne continued to be the first stop of the PBR's Team Series, hosting teams of bull riders competing against each other.

2024: Last Cowboy Standing as Challenger Series event

In 2024, the Last Cowboy Standing event, previously a part of the PBR's elite Unleash the Beast Series (UTB), was held as a Challenger Series event in Cheyenne.