Rifle Rendezvous saddles up: At least 4,000 carnival tickets sold, organizer says

Ainhoa Colon, 1, competes in a children’s cowgirl contest during the Rifle Rendezvous on Saturday.
Ray K. Erku / Independent Post

Early estimates show at least 9,000 people attended the Rifle Rendezvous at the Garfield County Fairgrounds and Events Center last weekend, an organizer said Tuesday.

“The weather was perfect,” said Annie MacGregor, chair of the Rifle Rendezvous Festival board. “We had huge crowds at the carnival.”

Over 4,000 carnival tickets were sold during the festival, which ran from May 12-15.

Some of the highlights from this year’s events include an inspirational speech by former Denver Bronco Karl Mecklenburg, a 5-year-old sheep event winner and Tyler Farris Bull Riding, MacGregor said.

Pleased with how this weekend’s event went, the Garfield County Commission awarded a mini-grant of $5,000 to help offset the costs associated with hosting Rifle Rendezvous.

**Father Chris Capper and his one-year-old son, Sawyer, on stage during a children’s cowboy competition at the Rifle Rendezvous on Saturday.**
*Ray K. Erku / Independent Post*

**A carnival rider clings to life during the Rifle Rendezvous on Saturday.**
*Ray K. Erku / Independent Post*

**Carnival attendees walk around the Rifle Rendezvous on Saturday.**
*Ray K. Erku / Independent Post*

**A Rifle Rendezvous participant enjoys a shoeless ride on Saturday.**
*Ray K. Erku / Independent Post*

**Ken Steelman of Oakridge, Oregon, kisses a horse at the Rifle Rendezvous on Saturday.**
*Ray K. Erku / Independent Post*

**A Ferris wheel spins during the Rifle Rendezvous on Saturday.**
*Ray K. Erku / Independent Post*

Journalist Ray K. Erku can be reached at 612-423-5273 or [email protected]

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