The Intriguing Evolution of Rodeo from Wild West to Professional Sport

Article By Michael King

The Dodge City Rodeo has a captivating historical origin that sets it apart. It all began with the world premiere of the movie Dodge City' in 1939. Warner Brothers, the movie's producers, mandated that Dodge City be transformed into a western-themed town for the premiere. This included a requirement for an authentic rodeo to be held on the day of the premiere, April 1.
Though they held a cowboy-style show at McCarty Stadium, there needed to be more time to prepare for a full-fledged rodeo by April 1. The "real" rodeo, the Boot Hill Roundup, had to wait until May. It was Dodge City's first annual rodeo. It lasted three days and was sponsored by the Great Southwest Free Fair Association, with Warner Brothers supplying much of the equipment. The final performance at McCarty Stadium on Sunday afternoon drew a crowd of 6000. The first rodeo event was a hit, as there's been a rodeo in some way, shape, or form every year since this emergent first effort.
In 1950, Dodge City initiated a new festival, the Boot Hill Fiesta. The Fiesta was held in May, completely separate from the rodeo, and was a summertime affair. By 1960, the rodeo was known as the RCA Rodeo when it merged with the Boot Hill Fiesta. Together, they became Dodge City Days, held over three days during the summer. It later expanded to six days and is now ten days. In the 1970s, the rodeo portion of Dodge City Days nearly folded and was saved in 1977 when it was reorganized as the current Dodge City Days PRCA Roundup Rodeo. Ron Long served as its first president. The first reorganized rodeo had 175 contestants and paid out $8,200. 
Today, the Dodge City Rodeo has blossomed into a significant event. It occurs at the arena, east of 14th Avenue, just south of the Arkansas River. The five-day rodeo now boasts nearly 800 contestants, with pay-offs reaching an impressive $339,000. Dr. R.C. Trotter, who has been President of Roundup since 2003, has played a crucial role in this growth, committing 40 years of his life to Kansas' biggest rodeo, a Dodge City Days celebration staple. 

In his time with Roundup, the rodeo has blossomed. It's one of the top events in ProRodeo regarding contestant numbers and total payout. He credits the sponsors and fans for the success, but there's more to it. In its 35th year, Roundup Rodeo was enshrined into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in July 2012. Trotter was on hand then, just as he is now. The commitment that comes with volunteerism is special.
The more prominent festival, Dodge City Days, is sponsored by the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce. Their efforts have made Dodge City Days recognized as the second-largest community celebration in Kansas, topped only by the Wichita River Festival. Over 100,000 people attend at least one festival event, generating approximately three million dollars. However, the economic impact on Dodge City is about nine million dollars.
The early pioneers like William F. Cody, Annie Oakley, Mabel Delong, William Pickett, Earl Bascom, and many more are at the heart of the rodeo's history. Their dedication and passion keep the rodeo spirit alive. It's the ranchers that genuinely support the legendary rodeos. Without our ranchers, we wouldn't have rodeo in the first place. As noted before, there are many complexions to rodeo. Some are the participants astonishing the gatherings in the stands; others are the timer technicians in the back, the rodeo clowns risking their lives in a barrel, and announcers moving the assemblage as they update them on the event. But when you think of it, rodeo is built by hard-working people with a passion. Like in the early days, people's livelihoods laboriously depends on ranchers. We have so many to thank for the history of rodeo.
In conclusion, the history of rodeo is a testament to the enduring spirit of the cowboy. From its origins in the Wild West to its status as a professional sport, rodeo has undergone a fascinating evolution. The journey speaks to the resilience, courage, and innovation of those who have shaped this unique sport. As we look to the future, we can only anticipate that rodeo will continue to evolve, inspire, and thrill generations to come.
For more information on the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DodgeCityRoundup/ or their Website at Dodge-City-Roundup-Rodeo. So, if you happen to be in the area, put on a hat and boots, and don't miss out on one of the top rodeos in the country, including Dodge City Days.