Cowboy Christmas season returns

The rodeo capital of the world will trot out all the stops this weekend as the Xtreme Bulls tour makes its annual Cody/Yellowstone stop tonight (Thursday) and the world-renowned Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede rodeo takes place July 1-4.

The competitions form the local backbone for what has come to be known as Cowboy Christmas, a narrow period of the competitive rodeo calendar that can make or break a cowboy’s chances at qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo at year’s end due to the volume of prize money at stake around the nation.

Action begins tonight (Thursday) with the Xtreme Bulls tour. Starting at 7 p.m., some of the top bull riders in the nation will climb aboard some of the meanest bulls in the nation for a head-to-head showdown to see who can last eight seconds and earn a share of a $50,000 purse.

From July 1-4, the Cody Stampede rodeo will take place, featuring the full array of rodeo events and entertainment. On July 2, the Cody Stampede will perform a tribute to the Tough Enough to Wear Pink program that was established to promote breast cancer awareness and to find a cure. Several rodeo cowboys will compete wearing pink attire in support of the program and audience members are similarly invited to show their support through the wearing of pink.

On July 3, the Cody Stampede will show its support of our active troops and miliary veterans in cooperation with Wrangler Jeans and Shirts.

For ticket information on either the Cody/Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls or the Cody Stampede rodeo, visit the official website at www.codystampederodeo.com.