Flint Hills Rodeo Parade
Every June, in conjunction with the rodeo in Strong City, Kansas, a rodeo parade is held. It starts in the neighboring town of Cottonwood Falls, and winds its way along a 2 mile route through town, down the highway, and then through Strong City finishing at the rodeo grounds. Starting in 1937, the rodeo is the oldest consecutive rodeo in Kansas. Harland and I have attended the parade several times. It’s especially neat to photograph due to the beautiful courthouse in Cottonwood Falls. Built in 1873 of native limestone, it is the oldest operating courthouse in Kansas, and one of the oldest West of the Mississippi.
The parade is not a big city parade – there are no marching bands or elaborate floats, but there are horses,
antique tractors,
horses,
antique cars,
horses with their young,
humans with their young,
and, oh more horses.
After all, it’s a rodeo parade, and this is ranch country.
There was also a donkey,
and the remains of an old car.
So we took pics of the parade, and then went a few miles out of town to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve to see the wildflowers and the buffalo herd, but that’s a post for tomorrow.
What a cool looking street and such a charming looking parade. I love the shot of the green pickup truck the car in the last shot. Amazing.
Hi Mr Brown Thumb,
Don’t you just love that pickup? I loved all the antique vehicles.
Thanks for visiting!
Suzanne
What a great parade, and the route is perfect for a rodeo parade. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a rodeo. They are so much fun to watch and take pictures.
Hi Teresa,
It’s an unusual parade in that it starts in one town, goes thru it, goes on down the highway to the next town, and finishes there. It’s so much fun. We’ve not been to the rodeo though, we hear it is heavily attended and is quite popular.
Suzanne
Suzanne,
Great website. I found you on pioneer woman, in the comments about her post with the kids and the cafe.Just had to check it out, since it said Window on the Prairie. Its the way we live too. I will be checking you out more often. Awesome that you reply to people. This street and buildings in this town are lovely. I love all the brick.
Hi Julie,
I’m so glad you stopped by. Do you live in the country also? What state?
Cottonwood Falls is such a neat place – it’s so “Norman Rockwell”, and so much fun to photograph.
Thank you,
Suzanne
Yes we live in the country too. In the Central Valley of California. We farm Almonds, Walnuts and Satuma Oranges. Been married 30 yrs. Just celebrated. YAHOO.. And we have 3 kids. 26 yr. boy, 21 yr. girl, 19 yr.boy. We have 5 1/2 horses. My mare just foaled a couple months ago…lol My daughter and I love to ride. We both run barrels. She did 4 yrs. of High School Rodeo. Much fun. Now she has one more yr. to get her R.N.. Oldest boy hates the farm. Too funny. He is going to start Law School in the fall. Youngest boy will probably take over the farm. He loves it and hates school, and thats O.K. Sorry for just giving ya my life story:(
Hi Julie,
Sounds like you have a wonderful life there. Congrats on your 30th! My husband and I are approaching our 2nd anniversary, and we feel so blessed.
Take care,
Suzanne
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ Kansas parade?
Hi Provident Woman,
Too true!
Thanks for stopping by,
Suzanne
I enjoy looking around on your blog. I’m moving to the Flint Hills next month…so I’ll be back.
I have done several posts about the Flint Hills area. Take a look in the Beauty of the Prairie page. http://windowontheprairie.com/beauty-of-the-prairie/
My neighbor and I ride our horses in this parade every year and it’s so much fun from our perspective to see so many people having fun and spending time together. It’s a wild parade that we never miss.
Thank you so much for sharing all of these wonderful pics!! I have been looking for one of the people who had captured a pic of the palamino with the fancy done up mane & braided tail. Do you by chance have a pic of her that you’d care to share with me? I haven’t found any, anywhere. I know there were several different people who’d asked me to stop or ride over to them so that they could take a pic of her & beings she’s my pride and joy equine baby, I’d surely love to have one.
I’ll look and see what I can find. Will let you know… Thanks Sammie Jo