In Which We Get Bucking Broncos

This past weekend was the Days of '47 Rodeo in Utah. Held around Pioneer Day, a state holiday celebrated on July 24th annually, this rodeo is a popular one. There are even multiple cities that host it.

The one we attended happened to be in Salt Lake City. (Though I admit I think we might have preferred the one in Spanish Fork. Maybe next time.)

This was actually the first time my husband and I have been to a rodeo together, and I'm shocked it took us this long! We've both been to one on our own in the past, and we both enjoy them. The fact that it's taken nearly 10 years together before we finally got ourselves to the rodeo is rather shocking! 😄

We shopped and visited the petting zoo, but I failed to get my husband on the mechanical bull. Then it was time for the opening ceremonies, which include a cavalcade of local performers and riders.

Two sky-divers parachuted in after a short aerial moment -- one carrying the Utah flag, the other waving the American flag.

And then it was time for the real show to begin!

Rodeos have a number of well-known events. Kicking it off, of course, was the bucking broncos, a feat for many a cowboy as they do their best to hang on to their seat while the horse beneath them attempts to buck them off.

Then we had the steer wrestling and cattle roping events. We saw a local record broken in steer wrestling a clean 3 seconds from out of the gate to besting the steer to the dirt!

Then it was back to more bucking broncos, and one poor fella lost his seat after all!

Alas, due to an unfortunate accident, we were not able to stay for most of the barrel running, and we missed the final event and the fireworks. But we still had lots of fun! It was my first time ever photographing a rodeo, and next time I think I need to get a longer lens, LOL.

And of course, next time we'll hope to stay straight through to the end.