Cheyenne Frontier Days has decided not to pursue a proposal to host parimutuel horse racing at Frontier Park. The proposal from Accel Entertainment offered to lease and make substantial upgrades to CFD’s infrastructure and facilities in return for CFD agreeing to host 16 days of live horse racing at Frontier Park.

The proposal to bring parimutuel horse racing back to Cheyenne was met with passionate opposition from neighbors and others concerned about issues related to noise, traffic, gambling and negative reports about animal safety at other horse racing venues. If CFD had decided to move forward, the proposal still would have needed approval from the Laramie County Commissioners, the Wyoming State Gaming Commission, and the Cheyenne City Council.

“A lot of people don’t realize that unlike many other sports venues, we are not subsidized by taxpayers. We rely entirely on privately generated revenue,” said Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig. “It’s our responsibility to consider reasonable options that could allow us to remain a premier bucket list event that draws hundreds of thousands to Cheyenne every year.”

CFD officials estimate needing in excess of $150 million over the next 20 years to repair or replace Chute 9, the aging west side grandstands, restroom facilities, and other areas that need upgrades. Revenue from horse racing could have contributed to addressing those needs, but the organization will now look for other potential options.

“We have always managed to meet big challenges by working with our community to arrive at creative solutions,” said Hirsig. “Cheyenne is our home and we take great pride in the CFD brand. We are committed to continue delivering a world class show that preserves and promotes Cheyenne’s history, culture and tradition.”

About Cheyenne Frontier Days

Since 1897, Cheyenne has celebrated its Old West roots with this eye-popping festival. The centerpiece of this Western celebration is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, which draws top professionals who compete for more than $1 million in cash and prizes. Complementing the daily rodeo action are behind-the-chutes tours, trick riding and a wild-horse race. A Native American Village, an old frontier town, a saloon, dancing, a chuck wagon cook-off, pancake breakfasts and an art show carry through the frontier theme. Rounding out the program are a carnival midway, an air show, top-name entertainment, professional bull riding shows and several parades that include antique carriages and automobiles. Cheyenne Frontier Days takes place each summer during the last full week in July.

Rodeo, PBR, Carnival Armbands, and Gift Cards on sale December 7

Cheyenne Frontier Days^™ (CFD) will put tickets for the 2024 event on sale December 7. Tickets for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Last Cowboy Standing, Carnival Armbands and Gift Cards (redeemable for tickets or merchandise) will go on sale.

Tickets go on sale December 7 at 9 a.m. MT at www.cfdrodeo.com, and by calling (307) 778-7222.

Cheyenne Frontier Days will celebrate the Year of the Cowgirl to recognize the contributions of women to the American Frontier and Western culture. A bronze dedication is planned for Frontier Park to support this theme next summer.

The 128th annual “Daddy of ‘em All^®” will feature nine days of fast-paced PRCA and WPRA rodeo culminating in Championship Sunday where champions are crowned, and legends are made.

PBR Last Cowboy Standing features one of the most exciting competition formats in Western sports, showcasing the world’s top bull riders in a five-round ride-survive-and-advance format.

There will be hundreds of vendors, a full carnival, artists, food, and music celebrating the history and culture of the American West.

Daily rodeo tickets range from $24 – $51, with VIP at additional cost. A $3 discount is offered on rodeo tickets purchased before July 1. PBR tickets range from $25 – $105. Carnival Armbands will be $40 per session or $150 for all 10 days.

Cheyenne Frontier Days partners with AXS, a global leader in ticketing for the entertainment world. Event attendees will use AXS Mobile ID technology through the AXS App which provides contactless, secure, and personalized fan experiences. Attendees will need to download the AXS App to access digital ticket purchases for 2024.

Artist Announcements are coming in March 2024. For the full range of pricing and more event information, please visit www.cfdrodeo.com.

Not quite 100 years ago, a small group of local women first started the carriages’ section of what is known today as the Cheyenne Frontier Days Grand Parades. On Thursday, September 7 at 5 p.m., they will host a ribbon cutting for a permanent home for their 1,500+ costumes, inside the Marietta Dineen Carriage Barn which also permanently houses the 60+ wagons and carriages seen in the four Grand Parades.

Originally a small group of ladies working to find riders, outfit them in appropriate costumes, and assign them to specific carriages, the W-Heels as they are known today will finally have a permanent home for their costumes with the opening of the Louise and Frank Cole Costume Room within the Marietta Dineen Carriage Barn.

As their 1890’s period costume collection has grown, finding space for 1,500+ women’s and men’s authentic apparel as well as 500 hats, bicycles, saddles and more from the 1890s, it became apparent the collection needed a dedicated space.

In the past 40 years, the W-Heels have moved their costume collection over seven times to include the basement of a dry-cleaning business and an abandoned gas station. With a generous gift from Louise and Frank Cole, both associated with the Cheyenne Frontier Days Grand Parades for much of their lives, the historic costumes will now be in a temperature-controlled area complete with dressing rooms, workspace to maintain the costumes, and office space to facilitate the checking in and out of costumes in and out for use in the parades.

Haylie Turley has been named Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Lady-In-Waiting 2024 after a selection process including submitting a written application, an accomplishment book, a horsemanship skills demonstration, and an interview.

Haylie is the daughter of Sherry and George Anadiotis and Scott and Crystal Turley. She is a 2022 graduate of Cheyenne East High School. Haylie dedicated her high school years to 4H cattle showing and FFA leadership and showmanship. Currently, she is attending Laramie County Community College, where she is pursuing a degree in nursing with a goal of transferring to the University of Wyoming to obtain her BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and eventually a doctorate in nursing practice, which will allow her to further serve Wyoming.

It has been Haylie’s lifelong dream to be a part of Cheyenne Frontier Days. She has looked up to the men and women dedicated to the western lifestyle. When she started riding, she realized this was her chance to be the next generation to live and breathe the brand. Haylie was a CFD Dandy and drill leader for four years. She also continued her volunteerism on the Parades Committee for a year as a Mounted Marshall assisting in the safety of spectators and participants on parade days.

“It is with the utmost pride and honor that I have been selected as the 2024 Miss Lady-In-Waiting! Representing Cheyenne Frontier Days is a timeless tradition that I am more than grateful to be a part of. I am beyond excited to represent and serve 3,000+ volunteers, the people of Cheyenne and the legacy of rodeo. I hope to always put the interests of the people, contestants, and volunteers first, as they are the heart and foundation of CFD. I promise as Miss Lady-In-Waiting to do my best in educating and promoting this beautiful way of life,” Haylie said.

Haylie Turley will work with Miss Frontier, Caitlin Garcia in 2024 to represent Cheyenne Frontier Days.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) General Committee has named its new committee members for the 2024 celebration.

Following Grounds Chairman Wally Reiman is Doug Finch. Finch is the Chief Executive Officer at Finch Enterprises, Inc. He has volunteered on the CFD Grounds Committee for 17 years and was inducted into the HEELS Organization in 2017. Finch has also served on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Board of Directors for 4 years.

Byron Mathews will be replacing Brian Rico as Operations Chairman. Mathews is the State Fire Marshal and Director of the Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety. He previously worked with Cheyenne Fire Rescue for 24 years, serving as a firefighter through the ranks of Division Chief. Mathews has been involved with CFD for 20 years with the Parades Motorized Division.

Following Mike Smith as Public Relations Chairman is Shellie Hardsocg. She is a special educator at Laramie County School District #1. Hardsocg has been a volunteer on the Public Relations Committee since 1993 and has been a committee lead for 9 years. She was nominated PR Volunteer of the Year in 2009 and inducted into the HEELS in 2013.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee has already begun the planning process for the 128th Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Cheyenne Frontier Days is currently accepting applications for the 2024 Lady-In-Waiting. Applicants must be a resident of Laramie County, and a high school graduate at the time of application. Applications are available at Cheyenne Frontier Days Headquarters, 1230 W 8th Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Completed applications are due at Cheyenne Frontier Days Headquarters on Friday, August 25 by 4 p.m.

The Lady-In-Waiting will be under the direction of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Indians Committee. Miss Frontier will assist the Lady-In-Waiting in learning her role as spokesperson for Cheyenne Frontier Days.

In addition to submitting a written application, candidates will need to demonstrate horsemanship skills on Sunday, August 27 and participate in a personal interview on Monday, August 28.

2023 Application

2023 Schedule of Events

They say records are made to be broken, and that certainly was the case at the 127^th Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD).

The event that started in 1897 is a full-blown celebration of the Western Lifestyle that includes rodeos, concerts, parades, Indian Village, trade shows, carnival and more.

National Day of the Cowboy has become synonymous with CFD’s opening Saturday, the first performance of the rodeo. July 22 and the second Saturday, July 29 rodeos were sold out.

Rodeo competition started July 15 with contestants qualifying for a spot in the Quarter Finals of the tournament-style rodeo. Throughout the competition nearly 1,600 competitors were after a piece of the $1.2 million purse.

The rodeo’s Quarter Finals were July 22 – 27 with the highest scores and fastest times advancing to the Semi Finals July 28 – 29. Championship Sunday featured 12 contestants in each event where the highest score or fastest time won. Two records were set during that performance. In the saddle bronc riding, Louisiana’s Ryder Sanford rode world champion bucking horse The Black Tie for 92.5 points beating the previous 91 set in 2010. The barrel racing was extremely fast with South Dakotan Summer Kosel beating the arena record she set here last year. Kosel stopped the clock in 16.97 seconds. Then Sue Smith, from Idaho, had her turn and had a 16.89-second run.

Through nine rodeo performances, 116,960 fans were in attendance, a significant increase from 108,662 last year. The Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, and Finals were broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel. Additionally, RFD-TV broadcast competition and qualifying rounds were available on The Cowboy Channel+ app.

CFD officials continued their quest to bring light to suicide prevention and awareness through the Pick-Up Man Initiative Combats Suicide and yellow feathers on cowboy hats were prevalent. It encourages people to “pick up” someone in need. “The World Needs More Cowboys” is a very popular song that Wyoming’s own Chancey Williams wrote and performs. CFD is behind that and partnered with Williams to promote anti-bullying, respect, and kindness.

All branches of the military were honored on Military Monday with active personnel and veterans receiving free admission. Special opening ceremonies featured military personnel and their families bringing in a big American Flag, a parade on the track of military vehicles and recognition of Gold Star families.

Frontier Nights was very popular with 134,134 in attendance compared to 103,798 last year. Part of the entertainment was Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Team Series. This year’s PBR had 18,448 in attendance, slightly down from 19,756. It was broadcast on CBS Sports Network and Ride Pass on Pluto TV. In addition to rodeo and night show tickets, there were 32,399 gate admission tickets sold bringing total attendance to 283,493.

Animals are the centerpiece of Frontier Days with approximately 6,500 of them included in the rodeo, parades, and bull riding. On-site veterinarians checked animals multiple times daily. Only four animals required treatment and unfortunately two did not recover.

Four parades and three pancake breakfasts were part of the celebration in downtown Cheyenne. Fans lined the streets for the parades featuring all kinds of horsepower and celebrating CFD’s history. The Kiwanis worked to feed 18,588 pancake breakfasts.

The Native American Indian Village on Frontier Park had activities for all ages, from storytelling, hoop dancing, flute playing and seeing authentic crafts. Approximately 46,824 people made their way through the village.

“Wow, just wow,” said John Contos, CFD General Chairman who is finishing the first of his three-year term. “This marks my fortieth year of being involved with Frontier Days and it is an incredible event. We have amazing volunteers and a very supportive community. CFD has a legendary reputation, and we couldn’t do it without everyone involved, from volunteers to sponsors, staff, competitors, and performers. There are a lot of cogs in the wheels that turn, and we are dedicated to making the world’s best Western celebration even better next year. We can’t thank everyone involved enough.”