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Cody Stampede and other large rodeos canceled, outdoor gatherings up to 250 persons permitted
By Zac Taylor and Leo Wolfson May 27, 2020 Updated 6 min ago

Restrictions are easing, but conditions aren't favorable enough to save the Cody Stampede and the state's other large rodeos.

Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wednesday that updated public health orders effective June 1 will ease restrictions on public gatherings, allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people. But representatives of the state's six largest rodeos also made a joint announcement that due to many factors surrounding the pandemic, they could not put on successful events this summer.

“We had to make the decision, we had no choice, but to cancel our celebration of our western lifestyle,” said Mike Darby, president of the Cody Stampede Board, in a pre-made video played during the announcement. Darby said he had learned the news that there would be no rodeo over the last weekend.

Gordon was flanked by members of the state's six largest rodeos including Darby, as the head of Cheyenne Frontier Days said the large rodeos would be canceled.

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Wyoming Officials React To CFD, Other Rodeo Cancellations
Published on May 28, 2020 -- in Coronavirus/News
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By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily

May 27 will go down as a dismal day in Wyoming’s history: the day “closed for the season” signs went up on the state’s most iconic rodeos. ... And while officials connected with Wyoming’s tourism industry lamented the decision to close the state’s six largest rodeos, they agreed it was a step that appeared to be necessary.

“When you look at the overall picture of things, it’s so important to protect our community,” said Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr. “Frontier Days is so international and we have to do what we have to protect our citizens and volunteers. We don’t know what’s going on in other countries and how other outbreaks might happen. For right now, this was the best decision to make.”

Gov. Mark Gordon, surrounded by rodeo officials from across the state, announced Wednesday that the six largest rodeos in the state would be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. ... These included the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo, which is held in late June, and the Cody Stampede, Central Wyoming Fair and PRCA Rodeo in Casper, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and Breakaway Roping, Laramie Jubilee Days and Cheyenne Frontier Days, all of which were scheduled for July.

Gordon said officials at each rodeo agreed it would be impossible to proceed with the events and follow social distancing guidelines designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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Since this July will be the first time in more than 120 years that Cheyenne hasn’t seen an influx of visitors, city employees can take advantage of the relative quiet to work on some projects downtown, Orr said. For example, crew members will work on curbs, gutters and other infrastructure needs downtown.

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