The Oakley Rodeo returns for its 91st year. Photo: Tom Smart.

OAKLEY, Utah — Every Independence Day, a town of roughly 1,600 residents transforms into one of the West’s premier rodeo destinations, welcoming more than 30,000 visitors for four days of competition, tradition, and celebration.

Side streets fill with visitors. Local businesses experience one of their busiest weeks of the year. And volunteers spend months preparing for the crowds.

The rodeo brings an economic boost to eastern Summit County and introduces thousands of visitors to the Kamas Valley each year as an annual reminder of the valley’s agricultural history and the families who helped shape it.

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Oakley has been hosting a Fourth of July rodeo for over 90 years, debuting in 1930 at Steven’s Grove. After years of informal riding as part of the Independence Day celebration, the rodeo proper was begun by Elmo Woolstenhulme, Sam and Lyle Wilde, and Paul Hortin.

When Elmo became mayor in 1962, he helped move the rodeo grounds into what used to be the old schoolyard and millpond, complete with new chutes and bleachers for the audience.

After about 50 years, the rodeo signed with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and began growing its reputation as a world-class rodeo destination.

To accommodate the growing event, Ken Woolstenhulme, Elmo’s son, was mayor and led the purchase of five acres in the mid-1990s to build a new $3 million area with 6000 seats and a neighboring recreation complex.

The new facility replaced the aging wooden grandstands that had hosted generations of spectators. While many residents felt nostalgic about leaving the old venue behind, the modern arena provided expanded seating, improved facilities and room for future growth.

Just in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary, Oakley held its first rodeo in the new arena in 2005.

This year, the once-again soldout rodeo is celebrating its 91st anniversary with top competitors vying for prizes in bull riding, calf roping, and steer wrestling.