Those of us who have been part of the Ellicottville community since its growth spurt of the mid-80s may still find ourselves remembering and marveling at the changes that took place as our agricultural/industry-oriented town began to evolve into a winter ski town… and presently, a full-season resort town. Ellicottville was maturing and expanding in previously unimaginable ways. Without question, the ski industry and everything that came along with it, was changing the nature and very fabric of the community.

Skiing and everything that supported the tourists it attracted eventually became the major draw, along with Holiday Valley’s pools, Conference Center and Sky High Adventure, and HoliMont’s timely and wildly well-received burst onto the scene of all things biking. Yet, industry and agriculture still maintained its place culturally in our roots and our economy. Along the way something else wonderful happened to extend the appeal of our newly evolving village. Leaning into our country roots, a bona-fide Rodeo came to town!

Forty-one years ago, John Kent (a local logger and builder) and his wife Karen (she also drove school bus) purchased property on Sommerville Valley Road. As Karen humorously says, “I guess you could say we bought the farm!” Except for the original red Paul Linsler farm barns that still stand, John and Karen built their home, their family, and the buildings, bleachers and everything you see on the property from the ground up. Imagine two young, ambitious mid-thirty-year-olds with a dream and the energy and resilience that comes with youth. Life centered around horses and the riding stable they soon began operating. Customers started to say they wanted more horse-related entertainment. After all, the setting was truly idyllic surrounded by our Allegheny foothills and lush green as far as the eye could see. It seemed a perfect location for a good-old-fashioned rodeo.

And so, it happened. The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo became a reality. Tents went up, more building took place, and with John’s entrepreneurial spirit, his experience in breaking horses as a youth, and Karen’s love of a challenge, both Kents were ready to step into a new horse-related enterprise. John always had the dream to ride in a rodeo but he and Karen, instead, created an environment for the rodeo to come to town 37 years ago. Interrupted for a year by Covid, Ellicottville has, for 36 years, enjoyed a bona-fide, Wild West Rodeo right here in Western New York! The Kents took a chance bolstered by the knowledge that rodeos in the region are well attended as they considered both the long running Attica (since 1957) and Gerry Rodeos (since 1945).

They began small, hiring a rodeo contractor immediately - Rawhide Rodeo - and have continued with them for thirty three years, now featuring All American Rodeo. It is now one of the largest IPRA/APRA sanctioned rodeos in the Northeast. This Fourth of July weekend will bring into town 350+ rodeo athletes with their hands on the reins and their eyes on the prizes - over $60,000 worth! Not to mention 10,000 to 15,000 Rodeo attendees - per year - for 36 years. Do the math. The Kents have always featured the top rodeo announcer in the country and, of course, a circus clown, Hollywood Harris, who makes imminent peril look like child’s play… and laughable. This year the Rodeo features bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, junior bull riding, cowgirls barrel racing and breakaway roping, team roping, calf roping, and, of course, the wild one - bull riding! If you look for something a bit tamer, cheer on your favorite buckaroo in the Kids Stick Horse race (register before the start of the rodeo - bring your own stick horse or buy one at the tack shop). Come early. Gates open two hours in advance to allow you to visit the host of vendors, the tack shop and, of course, enjoy plenty of food choices.

Enjoy your experience at the Rodeo and do take note of the environment surrounding you. The Kents and their crew of more than fifty people work diligently, and for months in advance, to be sure you experience clean, well-cared for surroundings. Be good stewards and carry your own garbage out anywhere you are attending festivities on this holiday weekend.

The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo takes place at 7:00pm July 3rd-5th and at 2:00pm on July 6th. Adult tickets for those ages 13 and up are $25 at the gate. Tickets for children 12 and under are $15 and children five and under are admitted free. For more information on the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo, visit ellicottvillerodeo.com or call 716-699-4839. The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo is located at 6319 Sommerville Valley Rd., Ellicottville, NY... “where the road ends and the west begins.”

PS: When you feel you can’t tear yourself away from the rodeo, take solace in knowing you can return to the Kent farm at the end of every fall for their wild and frightening Nightmare Hayrides September 26th through October 26th, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7:30-9:30pm. That is, until they are successful in selling their property, which has been an ongoing endeavor. Retirement beckons after years of opening their property to 25,000 visitors a year! With the draw these events have had for the community of Ellicottville, one can only wish that a potential buyer will have their vision, with even expanded ideas for the property. Glamping, anyone?