MONTE VISTA – The 102nd annual Ski-Hi Stampede brought crowds of people to downtown Monte Vista for colorful parades and to the Ski-Hi Complex for thrilling PRCA action.
This year’s theme for the parades on Friday and Saturday mornings was “Heroes Among Us.”
The Color Guard headed up the parades. Grand Marshals for the parades were Domey and Rodney Salazar on Friday and Ron and Carolyn David on Saturday.
Both parades had many beautiful floats, one with Red, White, and blue lettering that stated “HEROES.” Monte Vista Kids Connection had an amazing float, that took first place this year, with large Roblox balloons on the back of the float that had the Monte Vista Kids Connection logo on the front of the balloons, and the City of Monte Vista Logo. One Instructor from Kids Connection carried a sign in the parade that stated, “I work at Monte Vista Kids Connection because parent’s need heroes too.”
The Kids Connection received the top prize of $1,500. Southwest Liquor was second and received $1,000 and DaVitas Dialysis was third and received $500. Parade organizers appreciated all the help they received to make the parades happen.
The Monte Vista Middle School and High School Marching Bands were also in the parade playing lively tunes for everyone.
Monte Vista’s local balloon heroes, Monte the Cowboy and the Monte Vista H.S. Pirate were led down the parade route.
Many local businesses, showcasing all their farm equipment, were also in the parade. Giant tractors of all shapes, sizes, swathers, and other farm machinery made their way through the streets, as local farmers and ranchers are local heroes too.
There were lots of horses that marched through the streets with their riders smiling and waving at everyone.
A few semi-trucks along with a mini semi driven by Shriners Hospitals, were also in the parade. Monte Vista Fire Department Engine and Ambulance also made their way in the parade, smiling and throwing candy to the excited children.
The Monte Vista Mini-Cheerleaders were also in the parade, traveling on the back of a trailer, with a beautiful red, white, and blue flag decking out the trailer. The cheerleaders smiled and waved at everyone in the streets as they passed through.
The Rio Grande County Stagecoach was also in the parade, with a banner on it stating, “Rio Grande County celebrating 150 years.”
After the parades, on Friday and Saturday night, July 12 and 13, and Sunday afternoon, July 14, the PRCA Rodeo wowed fans at the Ski-Hi Stampede grounds. Saturday’s rodeo was completely sold out, with packed stands. Colorado’s oldest pro rodeo put on fantastic shows all three days, with plenty of roping, horse riding, mutton busting, barrel racing, and bull riding action to make any rodeo enthusiast happy.
This year’s fire-spitting rodeo clown Rider Kiesner kept the crowds going, as exciting competitions with plenty of flying mud, running bull riders, bucking broncos, and roping cowboys kept the crowds entertained throughout the rodeo events.
The Ski-Hi Stampede Committee honored Cliff Edwards for his 30 years of service on Sunday in Monte Vista. Edwards received a plaque and a standing ovation from the crowd. For more on the Stampede, see Page 6.
Rider Kiesner entertained the Ski-Hi Stampede crowd on Sunday afternoon with some trick roping and his wife, Bethany, did some fancy horse riding.
