LCCC staff makes difference as Frontier Days volunteer

The arena in Frontier Park during Cheyenne Frontier Days is usually the site of competitive rodeo athletes in fierce competition or the venue for entertaining, often raucous night shows. But there’s an event each year that shows the CFD community gives back to local youngsters, providing an unforgettable experience. 

It was scorching hot in the arena at Frontier Park on July 25, but that didn’t stop dozens of young people from hitting the dirt floor of the arena with chaperones to have an extraordinary experience as part of the Challenge Rodeo. CFD volunteer Rick Evelo’s job is to help young people onto a horse for a ride; an experience that was a first for many of the kids. 

"Yeah, it's pretty awesome,” Rick said between helping kids with their rides. “Most of the kids have never ridden a horse before, so it's really neat to help them with that experience. They're usually pretty jittery at first, but by the time you build their confidence, it’s amazing to see how they grow."

Cheyenne Frontier Days is an annual, week-long rodeo and Western celebration in Cheyenne, Wyoming, known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration." The Challenge Rodeo has become an inseparable tradition for CFD, bringing in children from Laramie County School Districts who are differently-abled mentally or physically. 

Rick came to Cheyenne 10 years ago to work at Laramie County Community College as the grounds maintenance manager, responsible for a wide range of jobs to make sure campus is safe and attractive. 

The Challenge Rodeo — like all of CFD’s events — relies on the help of volunteers such as Rick to make the experience run smoothly and provides a good time. In addition to volunteers, the children have the chance during the Challenge Rodeo to interact with Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association athletes, rodeo clowns, barrel racers, Dandies and more. 

"It's just a pretty awesome thing, and that's one of the things I really enjoy knowing our Concessions Committee takes care of," Rick said. 

Rick is on the all-important Concessions Committee, which oversees all activities of the carnival midway and the food and beverage concessions, exhibits and free entertainment “The Garden” area at Frontier Park. But as he approaches nearly a decade of volunteering at Frontier Days, one of the most impressive aspects is how anyone is willing to help anywhere it is needed.   

"From the moment I got involved, I noticed that even though there are a lot of different committees, everyone works together as a team and helps each other out,” Rick said. “You meet so many different people, and it's funny how you run into them later at LCCC or in the community, and they'll recognize you from working on a committee together. It’s a cool deal — we're on the concessions committee, but we're all part of a big team."

Rick and his fellow volunteers, whatever committees they’re on, have helped at concerts, assisting at times with everything from stage setup to flood control. During a concert, they assisted with clearing water and ensuring safety by squeegeeing and managing vendor areas in a flooded park. 

In a highly visible aspect of Rick and his teammates' work, the concessions committee plays a vital role in keeping the park safe and enjoyable. When it’s been needed because of heavy rain, Concessions Committee members have even provided pumps and equipment to manage water and assist vendors. 

For Rick, the willingness of volunteers to help anywhere it’s needed and work long hours shows the spirit of service is central to Western culture.

"It's part of the whole Western culture — we're not out there for ourselves, but to help and serve one another,” Rick said. “The goal is to make sure everyone has a good time and can enjoy their experience. Frontier Days really speaks to our Western heritage and embodies what that means."

Whatever he does each year at Frontier Days, Rick said the Challenge Rodeo will always stand out. Providing young people with unique challenges in their lives is a moving experience he said he’ll look forward to each year. 

“It gives them something special to remember today,” he said. “That’s a pretty neat deal.”