From the beginning the Days of '76 has been a living representation of the wild west, showcasing rodeo events that have their roots in ranch hand competition and general hell raising. Is it really only a legend that the first cowboy to get on a bull handed his beer to a friend as he said: " Hold this ... I have an idea."

The founding Days of '76 promoters based the event's activities on the famous Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. That meant more than rodeo; crowds got to enjoy steeplechase races, historic reenactments, cavalry drills and even boxing matches.

Since those early days a Who's Who list of the world's greatest cowboys and cowgirls have ridden the broncs and the bulls, wrestled the steers and roped the calves, and ridden fast races around the barrels in front of the beautiful wooden grandstand.