The mountains come alive in June and with summer events you won’t find a better time to be in Walden, CO than Rodeo Weekend. If you are looking for peak North Park energy, Rodeo Weekend definitely passes the vibe check. From June 20-22, the North Park Never Summer Rodeo is the excuse we’ve been looking for coming out of a cold winter and kicking the door down into summer.

With CPRA rodeo events happening all weekend, along with street dances, live music, good food, and great times you won’t want to miss the biggest party of the year in Jackson County, CO. Rodeo weekend is the time of year when the sons and daughters of North Park return home for class reunions, remembering the old times, and showing off their hometown to the next generation. Add it to your itinerary of things to do in Colorado this summer and you’ll see why!

83rd Annual Never Summer Rodeo

When: June 20-22, 2025

Where: Jackson County Fairgrounds, Walden, CO

Not much has changed since the first official rodeo was held in Walden, CO. Back then, cowboys would gather to show off their skills in riding, roping, and hell-raising. In those days, Walden still had dirt roads and boardwalks, looking a lot like a town right out of the Old West. Nowadays the exterior is a little bit more modern, but the spirit of those old days is still very much alive.

If you have never witnessed an authentic mountain town rodeo, there is no better way to find out what it is all about. These riders and ropers are cut from the same cloth as the legends of yesteryear, hard-livin’ and hard-playin’ athletes following the circuit and living a lifestyle from a world left behind by social media and cancel culture. Locals and professional rodeo riders alike compete for prize money and calcutta auctions in a tradition that finds its roots in the earliest parts of American history.

Here are some of the events you can watch from the grandstands at the Jackson County Fairgrounds all weekend long:

• Barrel racing
• Bull riding
• Bronc busting
• Team roping
• Breakaway roping
• Chute dogging
• Bull dogging
• Pole Bending
• And more!
• Kids events: Mutton Bustin’, Boot Race, and the Money Grab

The North Park Never Summer Rodeo starts on Friday, June 20 with cowboys and cowgirls arriving from all over the Rocky Mountain west to qualify for events and compete throughout the weekend. Concessions are provided by the local Future Farmers of America, and proceeds help support the FFA in North Park.  Rodeo runs throughout the weekend, winding down on Sunday morning with Cowboy Church, Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry, and the Rodeo Parade. Get your tickets at the gate or scan the QR code in the Jackson County Star. 

Pioneer Reunion

Each year during Rodeo weekend, the North Park Pioneer Reunion gathers our “Old Timers” to meet up over coffee and a dinner at noon to catch up and reminisce. This year, the Hoover family is the guest of honor. Coffee starts at 8am on Saturday with $10 for dues. Dinner starts at noon with a $20 fee for dues and your place at the table. Membership is limited to community members who have been residents of North Park for at least 10 years. The event meal is catered by the River Rock at the NP High School gymnasium in Walden, CO.

Never Summer Jam!

When: June 20-22

Where: Main Street, Walden, CO

While the rodeo is tearing up the dirt at the Jackson County Fairgrounds arena, things are going off in the town of Walden. Even if roping and riding isn’t your thing, who could say no to live music, outdoor games, karaoke, a street dance, and hanging out with some of the most interesting people you are bound to meet this summer? Walden isn’t short on local color and the people who live here really know how to have fun.

Live Music!

The Stockman Bar and Grill will be hosting a weekend of live music and events, featuring the talents of two bands. A karaoke open mic hosted by Gypsy Karaoke and a special guest you won’t want to miss. Bands are playing all weekend long. Here’s the lineup!

Gracie Jane Sinclair

Here’s your chance to see Gracie Jane Sinclair before everyone else does. She’s a rising star in country music mixing her original melodies with country, blues, and indie/folk. Her new album, “Well, I’m a Bitch,” just released. You can find it at her website, but check her out live in Walden at the Never Summer Jam!

Shane Fabiani

A North Park Favorite, this will be Shane’s third year playing for the Never Summer Jam! He hails from Pennsylvania, where country and western music is going strong, but fits right in with the North Park crowd. Expect some old favorites, classics, and some originals you can dance to and sing along with! 

Gypsy Karaoke!

With karaoke, there’s no middle ground. You either dare your friends to get up and sing, or you dazzle the audience with your talents. Which one are you going to be? Either way is going to be a blast! Add your name to the list, choose your song, and rock out with Gypsy Karaoke!

Special Guest!

We aren’t telling who the mystery guest is, but you won’t want to miss the performance! Come for the nightlife in North Park and stay for the incredible talent that will be headlining the show!

Street Dance!

On the evening of Saturday, June 21, Main Street in Walden will be blocked off for the Summer Jam Street Dance. Grab a partner and kick up your heels to live music, presented by the Stockman Bar and Grill. Ride the mechanical bull! Taunt your friends at the dunk tank. Enjoy outdoor games, cornhole, the bounce house, and catching up with the who’s who of North Park. Everyone will be there!

Along with the live music on Main Street in Walden, the stage at the Stockman Bar and Grill will also feature live music, karaoke, horseshoes in the back, and all the entertainment you can expect from Walden’s oldest watering hole. From the historic bar to its one of a kind atmosphere, the Stockman is the real deal when it comes to western bars.

Check out the Stockman Bar and Grill Facebook page for upcoming details and schedule.

Old Timey Photo Booth!

How would you like to become one of the early pioneers of the Old West? You can step back in time with the Old Timey Photo Booth, sponsored by the North Park Area Chamber of Commerce! Dress up in costume with props, solo or with a group of friends. Quality sepia photos will capture just how things were back then…kind of. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to commemorate rodeo weekend in Walden!

BBQ!

When: 5-8pm, Friday and Saturday, June 20-21.

Where: Main Street, Walden, CO

Just follow your nose to the amazing scent of mountain barbecue. Slow roasted meats with the fixin’s are just what you need to fuel the dancing machine you are going to become at the street dance!

Silent Auction

When: Saturday June 21

Where: the Historic Elkhorn, Mainstreet Walden, CO

North Parkers are proud of their history and heritage, and the North Park Pioneer Museum is one of our favorite recommendations to anyone stopping by. It contains a wealth of local history and archives going back to the humble beginnings of this community. This year’s silent auction will be held to help continue that tradition. Who knows what you will find at the silent auction? Items and services are donated by locals and businesses throughout North Park. Proceeds go to support the North Park Pioneer Museum. Donations are due June 10th at the Stockman.

Rodeo Parade        

When: 10am, Sunday June 22

Where: Main Street, Walden

Theme: Pioneer Women

Closing out the rodeo weekend celebrations is the Sunday morning Rodeo Parade. Like something out of yesteryear, visitors and locals gather on Main Street in Walden to catch candy thrown from floats, fire trucks, and classic cars. Rodeo royalty, color guards, and riders will wave to the crowds. You might even see a dinosaur! It's the perfect way to round off the weekend.

Oyster Fry

When: 11am

Where:  Wattenberg Center, Jackson County Fairgrounds, Walden, CO

Sponsored by the FFA, the annual rodeo oyster fry is the perfect remedy for all that celebration throughout the weekend. A part of a long tradition of cowboy food, Rocky Mountain Oysters are a local delicacy you’ll go nuts for! IYKYK

Book Early and Stay the Weekend!

The Never Summer Rodeo weekend is North Park’s busiest weekend for visitors, so be sure to book your accommodations in advance as hotels and vacation rentals tend to fill up quickly. There are still other options for the die-hard traveler, such as a stay at a campground, RV park, or a cabin at a town outside of Walden, CO.

Here is a list of hotels and other places to stay in Walden for your visit to North Park, CO.  Walden’s central location gives you a great jumping off point for not only North Park, but Snowy Range, Steamboat, Winter Park, and Grand Lake without the traffic! Also check  VRBO, or AirBnB  for other vacation rental listings throughout Jackson County.

Antlers Inn Call: (970) 723-8690

North Park Inn and Suites: (970) 723-4271

Chedsey Motel Call: (970) 723-8201

Lake John Resort (970) 723-3226

Powderhorn Cabins, (970) 723-4359

Enjoy Your Visit to North Park Responsibly

Rodeo weekend has been a big event in North Park for generations. It’s one of the biggest draws to our community! We want all of our visitors to have a great time and come back year after year. So please celebrate responsibly. Don’t drink and drive. Know your limitations, and stay hydrated. It might be your first rodeo, but It shouldn’t be your last. We will see you soon!