Utah’s Pioneer Week Forging a New Frontier in ProRodeo

SALT LAKE CITY (May 8, 2023) – Every July the State of Utah celebrates Pioneer Week the third week of July with the culmination of the celebration being July 24, marking the day when Brigham Young and a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. Rodeo has long played a part during this celebration with the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo and the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo all being contested during this time.

These highly competitive and well-renowned rodeos take place each year. This year alone, this impressive group has raised the bar by collectively contributing over $970,000 in additional money for an estimated $2 million in total payouts across the three PRCA rodeos – all this happening within a 5-day span and within a 100-miles of each other. With this kind of money on the line, the road to the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas will pass through the State of Utah. 

“Utah has, and always will, support the Western lifestyle that harkens back to our pioneer heritage. Our state’s ancestors are the definition of true grit - that same grit that drives the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls to compete for world titles,” said Mike Schultz, Majority Leader, Utah House of Representatives. “These three rodeos feature intimate rodeo arenas with the most breathtaking local scenery. We hope you will choose to spend this week with us in the Beehive State.” 

In addition to the unprecedented payout for Utah rodeos, each rodeo is a stop on the PRCA’s Playoff Series and will all be televised. The competition will no doubt be one for the history books.