The Oakley Rodeo returned for the 89th time last week in Summit County, running from Wednesday through Saturday at the Oakley rodeo grounds.
Stands and grounds chocked-full with fans were treated to high-octane action across the four days and eight competition events, which included bareback riding and steer wrestling.
Oakley is known to be one of the country’s very-best rodeos. This year, the town doled out $20,000 for each of their events, and $40,000 for the team roping event. They have a top contractor in Pete Carr Pro Rodeo from Dallas and announcer in Anthony Lucia.
Lucia knows Oakley to be a family-friendly destination event.
“You can bring your entire family, your friends,” said Lucia, who’s voice rang loud around the grounds, keeping fans locked in. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, there’s going to be something for you.”
Oakley also supplied plenty of local vendors for fans to enjoy when they needed a break from the action: nine food vendors and one merchandise vendor for the event.
The merchandise vendor was the Bolt Ranch Store from Kamas in Summit County. Local food vendors included the Oakley Roasting Company, FiiZ Soda and Ballerina Farm in Kamas.
Bolt Ranch is Oakley’s title sponsor, and they have been for the past two years. They were selling boots and cowboy hats, both rodeo branded merchandise and their own, from a trailer in an area outside the stands.
Owner Jenny Watts had a big smile on her face Friday evening. Watts said she has been to the rodeo almost every year of her life.
“My great grandpa started a ranch up here,” said Watts. “We have roots here in Oakley.”
Watts loves that fans travel from all around to be at the Fourth of July week event. She said some of their best-sellers are usually their sweatshirts and colder weather gear for when the sun sets, but she takes great pride in selling people their very first cowboy hat.
This year, Bolt Ranch sponsored a young participant, she said. They love being a part of the action and seeing so many returning faces.
“It was a way for us to get involved in the community,” said Watts. “My husband works at the rodeo, my daughter works here, and my son and his wife. We just wanted to get involved in the community, get to know people.”
Some of the returning faces around the vendor area this year were the Lugars, JJ and her son Trey, from Park City. They made the half-hour drive for the second year on Friday.
The Lugars thought the event seemed to be more packed this year. Even so, they encouraged people to come out Saturday and next year.
“We noticed that there’s more food trucks and merchandise,” JJ said. “It’s a good time. … People look forward to it every year.”
One of Friday’s bareback riders Bradlee Miller had a giant smile on his face as well, following his ride. It was the Texas-native’s first Oakley Rodeo, and he was savoring it all.
Miller participates in around 100 rodeos each year, he said, and was headed up to Calgary Saturday for his next one.
“The scenery here is just crazy,” said Miller. “The drive in, there were elk everywhere. What a cool place. … I’d love to stay here for longer than I am.”
These rodeo participants, fans and array of local vendors will be back in Oakley next Fourth of July week for the special 90th edition of the event.
