This is the familiar opening of each night’s performance at Ogden Pioneer Days from professional rodeo’s premiere announcer, Roger Mooney!

Yes, Roger, we are ready! But what’s new for Ogden Pioneer Days this year?

Following a 91-year tradition, Ogden Pioneer Days is just what you have been anticipating and hoping for this July.

Get ready for a really, really good time for your family and friends all at an average rodeo ticket price of under $25. We don’t think you can get any better entertainment value for your money anywhere.

As we honor our pioneer heritage and celebrate the western way of life, I am both humbled and excited to fill Alan Hall’s big cowboy boots as I succeed him as Chairman of the Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation.

I’m fortunate to be riding with an incredible posse of dedicated volunteers from Foundation Trustees, Rodeo Committee Vice Chairs and over 500 volunteers across 18 committees. They are the ones who make it all happen.

As I begin my tenure, I acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers including Ogden City mayors and council members who have preceded us. We recognize and thank them.

We are incredibly appreciative to our over 100 sponsors, the numerous non-profit foundations that provide grants, and most especially, to Ogden’s Mayor and City Council. The Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium, renamed last year, is the property of Ogden City and without their support and Ogden’s public works, parks, police and fire departments, the celebration would not be possible.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming nearly 1,000 contestants from over 27 states as well as International contestants from Mexico, Brazil, Canada and Australia. Smith Pro-Rodeo’s award-winning livestock will be ready to challenge every contestant, and to top it off, rodeo’s No. 1 announcer, Roger Mooney, will call the action. And let’s not forget our favorite rodeo clown, John Harrison. John is the three-time national clown and comedy act of the year and loves coming to Ogden.

And don’t forget the annual Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant, an integral part of Ogden Pioneer Days since 1955. Each July 24th, crowds are treated to a newly-crowned Miss Rodeo Utah.

Ogden Pioneer Days is the 14th most-lucrative rodeo (out of 650) in America in terms of the total prize money or purse, nearly $600,000. And we are inductees in the Rodeo Hall of Fame. Attendance last year was nearly 50,000 and we hope to sell out each night. So don’t delay. Tickets are available through our official website or at the stadium.

One other thing: In addition to all of the traditional events everyone has come to know and love, we’re adding something special this year. Bulls Broncs and Bands will feature country music up-and-comer, Chancey Williams on July 18. Before the concert, we’ll have a mini-rodeo featuring bucking horses, bulls, plus famed bull jumper, Manu Lataste. Cowboys competing that night will include several former and current world champs, the best of the best! These ticket prices will be more in line with other top-level concerts and kick off our five nights of championship rodeo starting July 19th. For more on Chancey Williams and Bulls Broncs and Bands, check out the recent story in the Standard-Examiner at https://www.standard.net/entertainment.

And don’t forget to stay for the incredible drone show after the last bull is bucked.

Check out the complete schedule of events that began on July 4 with the Traces of the West Art Show at www.ogdenpioneerdays.com.

Tighten down your cinches and hold on … it’s the 91st edition of Ogden Pioneer Days.

Steve Handy is the Chairman of the Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation.