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GUYMON — This Panhandle city is home to one of Oklahoma’s largest professional rodeos.

It’s often said more PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) world champion cowboys compete in the Pioneer Days Rodeo than at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Usually, at least 12 of the top 15 world rankings are timed or scored in the Guymon arena. Last year, this rodeo ranked 10th largest of all PRCA rodeos (more than 800 are held) and was the fifth largest of outdoor rodeos, according to the Pioneer Days Rodeo Web site.
More than 900 contestants drive in to rope or ride, and more than 100 are turned away as contestants. Next year, they’ll try again.

This year’s Pioneer Days celebration will be Friday through Sunday.

According to the Web site, this “celebration has its roots in the Depression era of the early ’30s. … City fathers were looking for a way to bring folks to town and a reason to celebrate in the midst of hard times. They chose the anniversary of the Organic Act, which on May 1, 1890, made ‘No Man’s Land’ a part of the territory of Oklahoma. The first weekend of May was designated as Pioneer Days and has been since 1933.”