Trends Winter 2018 | Page 4

A Cheyenne Tradition In 1897, a Union Pacific Railroad agent suggested to the editor of a Cheyenne newspaper that the City should have an annual festival. Folks liked the idea, and plans for the first Frontier Days were worked out in the Tivoli Saloon. The first year was a hit; the second year organizers expanded the celebration to two days and added a parade. Even the most optimistic citizen could not have predicted the success of today’s Cheyenne Frontier Days. The 10-day festival is held in July, with nine days of rodeo competitions and top-name concert entertainment. In addition to Cheyenne Frontier Days staff and 4│ TRENDS helpers, the festival’s success relies on help from several City agencies, such as the Police Department, Sanitation, Traffic Engineering, and the Cheyenne Transit Program. Laramie County School District No. 1 coordinates buses and drivers for the extensive shuttle system that transports visitors to and from off-site parking. The Wyoming Department of Transportation gets involved, as Interstate 25 borders the park, and much of the out-of-state traffic in and out of Frontier Park uses that route. The next Cheyenne Frontier Days is scheduled for July 19-28, with information at www.cfdrodeo.com.