The 101 Wild West Rodeo is held the second full weekend of June at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena, located at the intersection of Prospect Ave. and Ash in Ponca City, OK.
Dates for the 2023 101 Wild West Rodeo are June 8th thru June 10th,
with performances nightly at 8 p.m. and rodeo dance following the performance
The 2023 Rodeo will mark the 64th running of the rodeo honoring what historians have described as the birthplace of rodeo - the once mighty 101 Ranch. The fabulous 101 Ranch, with a 50-year history both rich and tragic, influenced Oklahoma and agriculture like no other ranching operation in the world. The 101 Ranch, established by Col. George W. Miller in 1879 on the banks of the Salt Fork River southwest of what is now Ponca City, began with thousands of acres of land which Miller both leased and purchased from his friends - the Ponca, Tonkawa and Osage tribes.
The Colonel, who died in 1903 at the age of 61, and the ranch, which was already successful came into the capable hands of his sons, George, Joe and Zack. It was 1905 when the Millers offered to perform what they called a "round-up" or "buffalo chase" as an entertainment for a National Editorial Association convention. Visitors were said to come to the ranch in 30 regular and special trains, and the crowd estimated at nearly 60,000 was thrilled to the exhibition of cowboys recreating real life ranch work from bronc riding and roping to Tom Mix's debut as a roper and rider.
After years of success as the "101 Ranch Real Wild West and Great Far East Show" things at the ranch began to crumble in the late 1920s, due to the deaths of Joe in 1927 and George in 1929.
But the rodeo returned to the Ponca City scene, when the Ponca City Cherokee Strip Rodeo Committee came up with the idea of having a rodeo during the Cherokee Strip Celebration in September 1960. By 1962 the financial success of the Cherokee Strip Rodeo proved that people wanted the return of a show similar to the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. The present bleachers were constructed in 1962; however additional improvement in chute heaven, the press box, and the new left & right release chutes have made the rodeo arena a top notch attraction.
The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation headed by Cory Goodno, in his 3rd year as president, contracts with a number of interesting one act exhibitions for the three-night stand. Other foundation officers include Tyler Mayse as vice president; Kacey Goodno as secretary and Shawndra Sheik as treasurer.
Are you tough enough to wear pink? The 101 Wild West Rodeo will continue the tradition with the implementation of a Tough Enough To Wear Pink? Night. Thursday evening's performance will be designated as "Pink Night".
The color pink is not something you would usually associate with the tough sport of rodeo; however, breast cancer has touched the lives of many rodeo and western lifestyle families. Rodeo committees, western event producers and western manufacturers have joined together to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.
The TETWP campaign puts this important health issue top-of-mind at rodeos and western events across America and Canada. The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation which organizes and puts on the 101 Wild West Rodeo is pleased to join those who have already gotten behind this campaign and the momentum continues to build. At Thursday's performance, the foundation will give $1 for each person in the audience who is wearing pink and $50 for each event winner who is wearing pink.
Thursday will also be Community Appreciation night come out early and enjoy a free barbeque dinner with ticket purchase from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on the east-side of the rodeo grounds.
There will be a live concert and dance immediately following each night's Rodeo Performance on the east-side of the arena. Meet the cowboys & contract personnel, visit with some old friends or maybe make some new ones.
"Rodeo Week" in Ponca City is celebrated with several exciting activities in the Ponca City areas including a parade downtown along Grand Avenue on Saturday morning. The parade which starts at 10 a.m.
PRCA Steer Roping at the Rodeo Ground Saturday Morning @10 a.m.
The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation, and numerous supporters, invites everyone to attend this year's rodeo. "Family Night" is Thursday with adults just $15 in advance, $18 at the gate, & kids ages 12 & under FREE. Friday and Saturday performances are adults just $15 in advance, $18 at the gate, kids ages 7-12 $5 in advance, $8 at the gate, & kids ages 6 & under FREE, or buy a weekend pass and enjoy all 3 nights for $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. Advanced tickets can be found at select local businesses:
Tractor Supply: Prospect Ave.
Equity Banks: 5th St & Prospect Ave.
Equity Banks: Hartford Ave. East of the Hospital
Equity Banks: Downtown, 3rd and Grand Ave.
RCB: 14th St & Prospect Ave. || 14th St & Highland Ave.
Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce: 5th St & Grand Ave
Dates for the 2023 101 Wild West Rodeo are June 8th thru June 10th,
with performances nightly at 8 p.m. and rodeo dance following the performance
The 2023 Rodeo will mark the 64th running of the rodeo honoring what historians have described as the birthplace of rodeo - the once mighty 101 Ranch. The fabulous 101 Ranch, with a 50-year history both rich and tragic, influenced Oklahoma and agriculture like no other ranching operation in the world. The 101 Ranch, established by Col. George W. Miller in 1879 on the banks of the Salt Fork River southwest of what is now Ponca City, began with thousands of acres of land which Miller both leased and purchased from his friends - the Ponca, Tonkawa and Osage tribes.
The Colonel, who died in 1903 at the age of 61, and the ranch, which was already successful came into the capable hands of his sons, George, Joe and Zack. It was 1905 when the Millers offered to perform what they called a "round-up" or "buffalo chase" as an entertainment for a National Editorial Association convention. Visitors were said to come to the ranch in 30 regular and special trains, and the crowd estimated at nearly 60,000 was thrilled to the exhibition of cowboys recreating real life ranch work from bronc riding and roping to Tom Mix's debut as a roper and rider.
After years of success as the "101 Ranch Real Wild West and Great Far East Show" things at the ranch began to crumble in the late 1920s, due to the deaths of Joe in 1927 and George in 1929.
But the rodeo returned to the Ponca City scene, when the Ponca City Cherokee Strip Rodeo Committee came up with the idea of having a rodeo during the Cherokee Strip Celebration in September 1960. By 1962 the financial success of the Cherokee Strip Rodeo proved that people wanted the return of a show similar to the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. The present bleachers were constructed in 1962; however additional improvement in chute heaven, the press box, and the new left & right release chutes have made the rodeo arena a top notch attraction.
The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation headed by Cory Goodno, in his 3rd year as president, contracts with a number of interesting one act exhibitions for the three-night stand. Other foundation officers include Tyler Mayse as vice president; Kacey Goodno as secretary and Shawndra Sheik as treasurer.
Are you tough enough to wear pink? The 101 Wild West Rodeo will continue the tradition with the implementation of a Tough Enough To Wear Pink? Night. Thursday evening's performance will be designated as "Pink Night".
The color pink is not something you would usually associate with the tough sport of rodeo; however, breast cancer has touched the lives of many rodeo and western lifestyle families. Rodeo committees, western event producers and western manufacturers have joined together to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.
The TETWP campaign puts this important health issue top-of-mind at rodeos and western events across America and Canada. The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation which organizes and puts on the 101 Wild West Rodeo is pleased to join those who have already gotten behind this campaign and the momentum continues to build. At Thursday's performance, the foundation will give $1 for each person in the audience who is wearing pink and $50 for each event winner who is wearing pink.
Thursday will also be Community Appreciation night come out early and enjoy a free barbeque dinner with ticket purchase from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on the east-side of the rodeo grounds.
There will be a live concert and dance immediately following each night's Rodeo Performance on the east-side of the arena. Meet the cowboys & contract personnel, visit with some old friends or maybe make some new ones.
"Rodeo Week" in Ponca City is celebrated with several exciting activities in the Ponca City areas including a parade downtown along Grand Avenue on Saturday morning. The parade which starts at 10 a.m.
PRCA Steer Roping at the Rodeo Ground Saturday Morning @10 a.m.
The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation, and numerous supporters, invites everyone to attend this year's rodeo. "Family Night" is Thursday with adults just $15 in advance, $18 at the gate, & kids ages 12 & under FREE. Friday and Saturday performances are adults just $15 in advance, $18 at the gate, kids ages 7-12 $5 in advance, $8 at the gate, & kids ages 6 & under FREE, or buy a weekend pass and enjoy all 3 nights for $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. Advanced tickets can be found at select local businesses:
Tractor Supply: Prospect Ave.
Equity Banks: 5th St & Prospect Ave.
Equity Banks: Hartford Ave. East of the Hospital
Equity Banks: Downtown, 3rd and Grand Ave.
RCB: 14th St & Prospect Ave. || 14th St & Highland Ave.
Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce: 5th St & Grand Ave
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