With summer coming to a close and the kids returning to school, its time for one last fun-filled weekend and rodeo with Francis’ 28th annual Frontier Days celebration Sept. 3 and 5.
Held every Labor Day weekend, Frontier Days features the final summer rodeo of the Kamas Valley Western Rodeo series along with local craft booths, a parade, a kids carnival and 5K race.
“Our celebration is unique because we put on an old-school, traditional rodeo and have two days full of family-friendly fun,” said Frontier Days committee member Kristi Major. “It has a feel of yesteryears and people come because they know it won’t be a huge, over-the-top event.”
Francis will hold its parade at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Last year’s parade route stretched for over a mile because of all the entries, according to Major.
“People set up tents and were having parties along the road,” she said. “We had all these old Ford tractors in the parade with the farmers driving them down the street and their grandkids in their laps.”
Festivities continue Saturday morning with the arts and crafts booths and the draft horse pull, an event that Major said helps keep the town’s farming traditions alive. But the adrenaline junkies will be coming out on Monday night for the Ring of Fire, the most exciting event of the weekend according to rodeo producer Bill Crittenden.
“We draw small circles all around the arena and people stand in them, and then we let loose a fighting bull,” said Crittenden. “The last person in their circle is the winner.”
According to Crittenden, most people don’t run out of their circle, but instead hold fast until they are bucked out by the bull.
“More people get hurt bull riding than in the Ring of Fear, but it’s just like a demolition derby, people come to see that big crash,” he said.
Crittenden and his rodeo production company, Slash C Inc., have been putting on the Francis rodeo for 20 years and said it has grown bigger and better every year.
“Our only problem now is having enough seats for everyone. They like our rodeo because it is upbeat, colorful and energetic,” Crittenden said. “We have semi-professionals and hometown people in the rodeo. Everyone is involved.”
Major encourages the whole family to get away from the city for a day and enjoy the family fun of the Frontier Days.
“There is something for everyone, shopping, a bounce house, tractors and World War II vehicles on display, a rodeo, there is enough to keep everyone busy the entire day,” she said.
For a full schedule of events go to www.francisutah.org