July 18-27, 2025

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Cheyenne Frontier Days Announces Dandy Tryouts

Cheyenne Frontier Days Announces Dandy Tryouts for the 129th Daddy of ‘em All and Opens Application Invitation to Colorado Horsewomen

The tryouts for the official drill team will take place in the rodeo arena at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration, announces tryout dates for the 2025 Dandies drill team. Tryouts are open to young women from Wyoming and Colorado ages 14-19 and will be held in the CFD arena at 1230 W. 8th Avenue, Cheyenne, WY on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 1 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to hold this tryout each year. We welcome returning Dandies and new girls in the horsemanship community who want to be a part of this prestigious team,” said Dandy Director, Halley Redman. “Being a Dandy is an incredible experience for these young ladies. The skills they learn – from horseback riding to public speaking – will benefit them beyond the rodeo world.”

Young woman interested in joining the team must own or lease a horse and be willing to travel. Tryout requirements include:

  • Application
  • Written test
  • Horsemanship
  • Personal Interview

The young women selected for next year’s Dandies will serve as good will ambassadors for Cheyenne Frontier Days. They represent CFD at rodeos, fairs, and events throughout the Rocky Mountain Region – including Casper, Estes Park, and Greeley. During the annual 10-day event, which will take place July 18-27, 2025, the Dandies participate in the rodeo performances and each of downtown parades. Additionally, they will attend the Coronation Ball, the Western Art Show and Sale, pancake breakfasts, and the USAF Thunderbird Aerial Demonstration.

“Being a Dandy is a commitment,” said Redman. “The Dandies and their families dedicate a large amount of time throughout the year to practices and meetings along with the CFD functions, parades and rodeos. You’re all in as a Dandy. We’re excited to meet the young women interested in joining the team.”

A makeup tryout will be Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 6 p.m. for those who are unable to attend on September 29.

For more information, please email dandies.director@cfdrodeo.com.

New Committee Chairs Named for 129th Celebration

The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) General Committee has named its new committee members for the 2025 celebration.

Following Contract Acts Chairman Scott Lewis is Mike “Wilkie” Wilkinson. Wilkinson is a Risk and Safety Officer for the City of Cheyenne. He has volunteered on the Contract Acts Committee for 12 years and has been a committee lead for three years. Wilkinson was nominated as Volunteer of the Year in 2018, and he was inducted into the HEELS Organization in 2022.

Bill Oates will be replacing Mariah Johnson as Indians Chairman. Oates is a Senior Network Engineer at the Wyoming Department of Transportation. He has been a volunteer on the Indians Committee since 2003 and has been a committee lead for six years. Oates was nominated Indians Committee Volunteer of the Year in 2017.

“We are excited to have Mike and Bill join the General Committee, both individuals are very accomplished within their respective committees; and they will help lead CFD into the future,” John Contos, CFD General Chairman said. “Thank you to Scott Lewis and Mariah Johnson, outgoing chairmen, for their long-standing commitment to our organization.”

The Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee has already begun the planning process for the 129th Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Watch: Toes

 

A foundational principle of Cheyenne Frontier Days is volunteerism. Thousands work without pay and their value is priceless. ‘Toes’ kids came out in force to spruce up the big Frontier Park arena where afternoon performances begin Saturday. The program coordinator is Cortney Johnson.

17th Annual VCF Dinner & Auction

The 17th Annual Dinner and Auction to benefit the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) volunteers through the CFD Volunteer Crisis Fund (VCF) will return, February 17, 2024, at Little America in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Ella Langley will be providing entertainment at the dinner, her music kicks like a smooth Alabama whiskey. Her dyed-in-the-wool country storytelling and anthemic hooks go down easy, while moments of attitude-laden rock ‘n’ roll might just knock you on the floor. Flexing show stopping vocals, a razor-sharp pen, and no filter whatsoever, Ms. Langley formally introduces her signature style on her 2023 debut EP, Excuse The Mess [Columbia Records/Sony Music Nashville], introduced by the single “That’s Why We Fight” [feat. Koe Wetzel].

“Never let your lack of experience hold you back.  Set a high standard.  If you think big, you win big.” states Jeremy Lopez, President Volunteer Crisis Fund.  The VCF Board of Directors are thinking big to make the upcoming banquet a moment in time you will not forget!

The board of directors are in the process of gathering items to be auctioned off for the event. All the proceeds will benefit the CFD volunteers.

“Each of the board members would like to thank the donors and businesses who contribute items to the auction. Your contributions make such an incredible impact every year, the event would not be the same without you” said Dawn McDonnell, Director of Marketing.

Tickets go on sale Black Friday, November 24, 2023, online through VCF website at www.cfdvcf.com.

The CFD Volunteer Crisis Fund is a non-profit established for the purpose to provide emergency monetary assistance to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Family when they are faced with a tragic or catastrophic loss. For more information, the VCF can be reached at info@cfdvcf.com.

New Committee Chairs Named for 128th Celebration

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.

CFD Portrayed in Murder Mystery

“ROUGH RIDE busts right out of the chute and it twists and bucks until the last page. It’s a fun inside-view primer that serves as a “behind-the-chutes” tour of the largest outdoor rodeo in America.” — C.J. Box, #1 New York Times best-selling author of SHADOWS REEL

Darcy Moreland is thrilled to be back in her old home town of Cheyenne, Wyoming and working as a reporter for the local TV station, KCWY. As a bonus, Zach Horton, an old college friend, is station manager and now her boss. On her first assignment covering the carnival midway of Cheyenne Rodeo Days, a body drops from the top of the Ferris wheel inches from her videographer who was lying on the asphalt to get a special shot. Darcy knew the girl and her family which only galvanizes her determination to find the cause of Bridget’s death. Her investigation hits a snag in the form of CPD Detective Hank Nelson, who warns her to stay out of the investigation. Darcy decides Hank is attractive but annoying. She ignores his warnings. Another body drops. Chaos ensues. So far it has been a rough ride. Can Darcy solve both murders by the end of Cheyenne Rodeo Days?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Paulla is a long-time resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming. She lives in a historic downtown area of the city with her husband, Roger Schreiner, a volunteer and past chairman at CFD. She is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Wyoming Writers. She earned her B.A. from the University of Wyoming in English, Speech and Drama. She has a passion for history, reading, theatre, travel, and obviously writing.

Her book, Rough Ride, is her first published novel. It’s the first in the Darcy Moreland Mystery Series and all take place in Cheyenne, WY. With shows like Yellowstone, 1883, and rising popularity of all things Western, her book fits perfectly into this popular genre and is loosely based off of CFD.

Website: www.paullahunternovels.com
Insta & FB: @paullahunternovels

WHERE TO BUY:
Target
Barnes & Noble
Amazon (Kindle version)

Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Names New Committee Chairs for 126th Celebration

Lady-In-Waiting Application Deadline

Cheyenne Frontier Days is currently accepting applications for the 2021 Lady-In-Waiting. Applicants must be a resident of Laramie County, and a high school graduate at the time of application. Completed applications are due at Cheyenne Frontier Days Headquarters on Friday, August 20 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 29 and participate in a personal interview on Monday, August 30.

Lady-in-Waiting Application

Lady-in-Waiting Schedule of Events

Meet Our Newest Chairman

Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Names New Committee Chair for 124th Celebration

The Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD) General Committee has named its new committee member for the 2020 celebration.

Following Public Relations Chairman Michael Martin is Mike Smith. Smith is a lawyer; and has a BA degree in Secondary Education and a Juris Doctorate. Smith has volunteered with the CFD Western Artshow and Sale for 19 years; been a CFD volunteer on the Public Relations Committee for 16 years; and was inducted into the HEELS this year.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee has begun the planning process for 2020 by reviewing the results of the 2019 event.