Greeley Stampede

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Greeley Independence Stampede
nickname= Worlds Largest 4th Of July Celebration


location = Greeley Stampede (Island Grove Regional Park) 600 North 14th Avenue Greeley, Co 80631

The Greeley Stampede, also known as the Greeley Independence Stampede, spans two weekends and features pro-rodeo, bull-riding and kids rodeos, country and classic rock concerts, demolition derby, televised 4th of July parade, Carnival Midway, Western Art Show, free stage entertainment, and loads of festival grounds activities, mixed with food and fun galore.

History

The Greeley Stampede is rich in tradition and heritage dating back to the late 1800s. This community celebration that was started to honor local potato farmers, has since grown into an internationally acclaimed festival attracting close to 450,000 people annually from all parts of the United States and several foreign countries.

Officially christened the Greeley Spud Rodeo in 1922, the event featured bucking bronc riding, fancy roping, a pie eating contest, a horse race, motorcycle and bicycle races and a two-mile Model-T Ford "free for all" race. Estimated attendance in that first official festival was 2,500 people.

In an effort to give the event some national recognition the Greeley Spud Rodeo era ended and, thus, began the age of the "Go West with Greeley" Rodeo. The name taken from the famous phrase by the city's name sake, Horace Greeley, who said "Go west young man. Go west."

The Greeley Independence Stampede entitlement came in 1972 by means of a community contest and featured: Pro Rodeos; kids rodeo; country and classic rock concerts; televised July 4th parade, a demolition derby, carnival midway, western art show, free stage entertainment, mixed with food and fun galore.