Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede, also known as the Greeley Independence Stampede, is a celebration held in Greeley, Colorado.
It spans two weekends and features pro-rodeo, bull-riding and kids rodeos, country and classic rock concerts, demolition derby, televised 4th of July parade, Carnival Midway, Western Art Show, free stage entertainment, and loads of festival grounds activities, mixed with food and fun galore.
History
The Greeley Stampede is rich in tradition and heritage dating back to the late 1800s. This community celebration that was started to honor local potato farmers, has since grown into an internationally acclaimed festival attracting close to 450,000 people annually from all parts of the United States and several foreign countries.
Officially christened the Greeley Spud Rodeo in 1922, the event featured bucking bronc riding, fancy roping, a pie eating contest, a horse race, motorcycle and bicycle races and a two-mile Model-T Ford "free for all" race. Estimated attendance in that first official festival was 2,500 people.