Estes Park’s history is firmly rooted in ranching, a heritage it has celebrated annually for more than 80 years with its annual Rooftop Rodeo, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned event. This year’s non-stop, rip-roarin’ cowboy action runs July 7-12.

    Nightly professional rodeo performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds combine with Mutton Bustin’ competitions for kids, a parade through downtown Estes and a dance. It all adds up to lots of excitement, with saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, bareback riding, barrel racing and bull riding.

    The celebration begins with a parade at 10:30 a.m. July 7, complete with marching bands, groups on horseback, floats, unique automobiles, rodeo royalty and more. Gates to midway fun open at 5:30 p.m., with face painting, western music, a mechanical bull and more.

    On July 11, catch the countrywestern “Queens” dance, 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at the Estes Park Conference Center, when everyone dresses in their best Western finery and dances up a storm. Woody Purcell and the Snowy river Band will provide the rockin’ tunes for the evening.

    General admission seats cost $15, $5 for ages 3-11. Box-seat tickets are $20 for all ages. Get more information and tickets at estesparkcvb.com, or by calling 1-800-443-7837.

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