Iron County Weekend Buzz:Festival Of Homes, And Rodeo Fun

So last weekend was pretty busy with the Iron County Fair, and the Iron County Home Buillders Association Festival of homes and we had a lot to do. But if you're not ready to pull the plug on busy weekend activity, you've got some great options this weekend, too.

First off the Iron County Home Builders Association Festival of Homes will continue and conclude this weekend. The homes will be available for your inspection and idea gathering Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7PM.

And then we also have the Great American Stampede. Unlike the PRCA rodeo at the Iron County Fair where the cowboys were competing to make their way to the NFR in Las Vegas, the Stampede is college rodeo. The Stampede is presented by the Cedar City Lions Club, and the SUU Rodeo team acts as the host school.

Yes, just like the football, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, track and field and other teams, Southern Utah University also has a rodeo team. And just like the other campus teams, the SUU Rodeo team has league competition, with hopes of making it to the finals next summer in Casper, Wyoming.

There is some wonderfully small town tradition that happens when a rodeo is in town. It certainly was a gathering place for the smaller, agricultural areas of the nation where people would celebrate and find enjoyment in just being together while they cheered for their favorite cowboys.

Taylor Jones has been chosen as the Queen for the Great American Stampede, her first attendant is Kenzie Lyman. Tylee Torgerson is the rodeo Princess and her first attendant is Ellee Johnson.

The rodeo royalty was on the radio with us this morning, and Jones told us what she likes about the atmosphere of rodeo events. “Honestly, I think it's the heart of the most majority of people. I've just met so many people that there's a large portion of people in the rodeo industry that just want to help each other out and they will give any opportunity to anybody. Never rode a horse before? They'll let you hop on one of their best horses and let you ride,” Jones said.

In addition to enjoying two great nights of rodeo action, attending the Great American Stampede helps the Cedar City Lions Club with funding so they are able to continue to contribute to the enhancement and improvement of our community.

The Great American Stampede will feature classic events like bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and bronc riding, showcasing the skills of the amateur cowboys and cowgirls. And, of course, there will be the Rodeo Clowns, and Liberty Cunningham, a trick and roman rider will be performing at the stampede this year.

The Great American Stampede is not just about the rodeo. It’s a community event that brings people together to celebrate the traditions of the West while offering opportunities for people of all ages to participate and volunteer.

The rodeo starts at 7PM on both Friday and Saturday night and will be at the Iron Rangers Arena at the Cross Hollow Events Center. Seating is general admission only, so the earlier you arrive, you'll have a better chance to claim the seats you want.

And if you're hungry, the Lions Club will have plenty of food available.

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You can get your tickets now at this link. The Great American Stampede is a great time to be together and enjoy our community. Even though Cedar City is growing, we get a couple of nights to feel small town again.

You can listen to our exchange with the rodeo royalty in our podcast below.