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High gas prices, heat fail to dampen Nite Rodeo crowds
By Richard Reeder
This document was published online on Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Gas prices are hovering near $3 per gallon, and roaring heat has blanketed Cody Country.
But none of these factors have deterred Cody Nite Rodeo fans.
“The crowds are up,” contractor Nikki Tate said. “We are really happy.”
Tate said the attendance at the midpoint of the season shows people are in town and finding their way to the Stampede Grounds.
“We've had some good nights, six nights with more than 1,000 people,” Nikki said. “The numbers say we are 3,700 ahead of this point last year.
“I was really worried,” she added. “I thought the gas prices would keep people away, but it hasn't.”
And it's not only tourists finding their way to the rodeo.
“We've sold more than 800 season passes,” Nikki said. “That's a really good number.”
Some of those passes have gone to local businesses in the “Ask Me” promotion.
“We have buttons we give to employees to wear,” Nikki said. “If they wear it, they receive a free season pass.”
Nikki and her husband Maury have made some other changes at the arena.
The souvenir store was moved closer to the gates and they have a new bull for people to see.
“Hollywood passed away recently, so we have a new bull named Buford,” Nikki said. “We haven't taken him downtown yet though.
“He's only 3 years old and we don't know how he'll do,” she added. “We're taking it slow with him.”
The Nite Rodeo is being visited by plenty of out-of-town talent this year.
Last week John Payne, also known as “The One Armed Bandit,” visited the rodeo.
“He was traveling to Jackson and called to see if he could perform here,” Nikki said. “He is an eight-time NFR act of the year.”
This week a precision drill team, the Fort Smith Dollies, are performing. They will be at the rodeo Wednesday and Friday nights.
Nikki said the acts are finding Cody through some new advertising.
“We are advertising in the ProSports News, a magazine from the PRCA,” she said. “People are calling us and wanting to come here.”
But entertainers aren't the only ones wanting to come to Cody, Maury said.
“We're tickled to death with the response to everything,” he said. “We've had some different kids coming through and rodeoing.
“We've had several really talented people stop and ride while they travel to Cheyenne,” he added. “It says plenty about you when that's happening.”
Maury said the talent pool at the Nite Rodeo is as good as it's ever been.
“We have some real talent, and it's coming from far away places,” he said. “We've had some people come from Arizona and they keep coming back.
“It says something to me about how well we are doing things when people call from far away and want to come,” he added. “They are finding something here they can't find anywhere else.”
He credit's the rodeo's history for that, too.
“I don't think people really understand this rodeo's history and what it means,” Maury said. “Back in Oklahoma people know about this rodeo and what it means, what its history is.”
The roster of Nite Rodeo alumni is growing in the PRCA ranks.
“Kanin Asay was here all last summer and now he's No. 2 in the world,” Maury said. “Isaac Diaz is in the running for the NFR in bronc riding and he was here all last summer.
“And Shane Procter made the PBR finals after riding here all season,” he added. “It shows if you come here and take it seriously, you can gain experience and have a future.”
Maury said the cooperation with local businesses has helped the rodeo keep growing.
“Our philosophy is if we're busy, the restaurants and hotels are busy and vice versa,” he said. “Restaurants have helped us by using the placemats, wearing the “Ask Me” buttons and all those things.
“Every time someone turns around they see the Nite Rodeo logo,” he added. “The more they see it, the more they want to come and see what it's all about.”
Maury shared Nikki's fears at the beginning of the season.
“I was scared to death,” he said. “I wasn't sure how we were going to do, but it's been great.”
And he gives some credit to his tourism partners in Cody.
“The chamber and Park County Travel Council deserve all the credit in the world,” Maury said. “They are a big reason for our success.
“They don't get the appreciation they deserve, in my opinion,” he added. “We appreciate them and enjoy working with them.”
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Andy wrote on Jul 28, 2007 2:54 PM: