The backstage crew brings us the shows for Cheyenne Frontier Days

Published: Jul. 25, 2023 at 9:03 PM CDT
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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Locals and tourists alike come out to see Cheyenne Frontier Days shows. But it’s the folks behind the scenes that make the shows happen.

Every year during Cheyenne Frontier Days, the behind-the-scenes crew builds up and tears down seven concerts and two nights of professional bull riding.

This year a crew of about 300 are helping out with the PBR folks and concerts.

“So that’s probably about one of the things people don’t realize. How much it takes to put this show on,” said Jeremy Lopez, Assistant Stage Manager -Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Helping the travel crews set up and tear down chutes, staging and lighting.

Taking anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours with stage crews of about 30 to 50 people, and with little sleep in between.

“We’re out here till, from anywhere from 1:30 to 3:30 in the morning, working, and if we have another show the next day and it’s a bigger show, stage call is 8 o’clock, So we generally we only get a few hours of sleep a night, and then we got to do it all over again.” said Lopez.

This breakneck pace runs for the entire 10-day cycle.

They do it for the legacy.

“It’s just a local thing. I’ve been volunteering since I was 15, So that was 18 years I’ve been volunteering. And it’s in my blood; my Dad was a prior chairman of Contract Acts, the committee that puts on all the night shows, so I’ve been, its kind of one of those family traditions, and I never really shook it, so I’m here every year,” said Lopez.

And they do it for the love.

“Comradery of everybody out here. We’re one big family. We all try and support each other from our wonderful catering staff to us helping with the merch. WE’re all just trying to get the same goal accomplished,” said Duncan Roberts, Stage Hand- Cheyenne Frontier Days.

These local volunteers come together and “Cowboy Up” for Cheyenne Frontier days, and they do it the Wyoming way.