Colorado Springs’ iconic Western Street Breakfast returned to Tejon Street Thursday morning, ringing in summer and the exciting start of the Pikes Peak Rodeo season.
In keeping with tradition, Fort Carson Soldiers worked late Wednesday night to ensure the event kicked off at 5:30 a.m., preparing pancakes, eggs and sausages for the masses armed with their hats. cowboy, their boots and their Western spirit.
Costing just $5 for the entire broadcast, the price hasn’t increased much from its original price of $1 nearly 100 years ago, amid the event’s humble beginnings.
Sgt. Zain Miller serves Violet Galindo Breakfast in downtown Colorado Springs for the annual Western Street Breakfast on Thursday, June 20, 2024. The Street Breakfast is promoting the upcoming Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo to be held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center on July 9. 13.
“It’s nice to see people interested in Western heritage. It’s our first time here, and I’m a little shocked at the number of people who have expressed interest in range riders and want to grab a rope. It’s a positive outlook,” said Amber Schalla, a southeastern Colorado rancher.
Teaching roping techniques and roping to the breakfast crowds, Schalla spoke about the importance of his Western heritage and shared it with the community Thursday morning.
“We’re kind of a dying breed, as a cowboy. To be able to come here and share this with kids from around town who don’t know much about roping or horseback riding, it’s neat to see,” Schalla said, a smile peering into the brim of his hat.
“It’s a way of life, I was raised in the Western lifestyle and we raise our children that way. This is the American West. It’s our tradition.
Matt Reigner shows off his little buckaroo, Colt Reigner, during a costume contest in downtown Colorado Springs during the annual Western Street Breakfast, Thursday, June 20, 2024. Colt won his age group. The Street Breakfast is promoting the upcoming Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo being held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center July 9-13.
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Local street breakfast traditions date back to 1936, according to the event’s website.
88 years ago, the first Western Street Breakfast featured a small fraction of the crowd seen Thursday, 35 cowhands and rodeo belles who were served breakfast in an old chuck wagon in front of Joe Reich’s Swiss chalet , which today is home to downtown La Baguette.
The Pike’s Peak Range Riders’ horseback ride through downtown began in 1949. On Thursday, the Range Riders and their trusty horses appeared at 8 a.m. sharp, proudly greeting customers.
Today, the event is one of memory and tradition. In addition to a classic American breakfast, event attendees enjoyed a wide range of Western-centric music, performances and activities in a portion of downtown Colorado Springs.
Weston Reeves waves a flag at the annual Western Street Breakfast on Thursday, June 20, 2024. The Street Breakfast is promoting the upcoming Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo to be held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center from 9-13 July.
“To me, the historical value of the Western tradition in Colorado Springs is lost in translation. People want to have that Western culture, but a lot of people don’t understand how to experience that Western culture,” said Ralph Bowers, a pageant artist with the Colorado Cowboys.
Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Bowers told the Gazette that while he’s noticed street breakfast seems to be declining over the years, he believes Western culture is experiencing a “resurgence” in popularity.
A little rain overnight didn’t stop cowboys and cowgirls from lining up for breakfast in downtown Colorado Springs for the annual Western Street Breakfast on Thursday, June 20 2024. The Street Breakfast promotes the upcoming Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo taking place at the Norris-Penrose Event Center July 9-13.
“When we think of cowboys and people in Western culture, we tend to think of horses and shooting and everything like that, but it’s so much more,” Bowers said.
Dressed as historic Colorado cowboy U.S. Marshal David James Cook, Bowers spoke briefly and enthusiastically about the character’s history in Colorado and his impact.
“In Colorado, he founded the Rocky Mountain Detective Agency. He was also a Union soldier who came here to stop the Confederates from stealing gold from (Native Americans) to support the Southern Confederacy,” Bowers said.
“He’s not one of the most famous historical figures, but he’s a very interesting person.”
Rob Devega and his two daughters, Ruth and Nicolette, could be seen anxiously waiting for their turn to have their makeup done. Carrying a deep family history within Colorado Springs Western culture, little Ruth Devega beamed with pride at the event.
“Being a cowgirl means a lot to me,” said Ruth Devega, sporting a red hat and matching handkerchief, “it goes back to our family’s history of Native Americans, cowboys and cowgirls. and our ranch, our family owned at the time.
“We’re in the Black Forest, we’re of Native American descent,” Rob Devega said. “It’s great to see everyone dressing up and enjoying the community and all of its different cultures.” No matter where you come from, everyone can be a cowboy or cowgirl. »
Matt Reigner shows off his little buckaroo, Colt Reigner, during a costume contest in downtown Colorado Springs during the annual Western Street Breakfast, Thursday, June 20, 2024. Colt won his age group. The Street Breakfast is promoting the upcoming Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo being held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center July 9-13.
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The last musical act of the morning, the Flying W Wranglers gathered a whole surrounding crowd, pressed against the guardrails; lying and standing on the makeshift stadium made of hay bales.
Known worldwide since its inception in 1953, the musical group is known as the second oldest Western performance group internationally. More than 60 artists have been part of the group since its beginnings, many of whom have been performing for more than three decades, according to their website.
Boos, screams and “yeehaws” could be heard throughout the crowd as guitars intensified their tinkling and violin strings were played.
“Cowboy, great American cowboy,” the group sang in four-part harmony.
“With a hoss, a rope and a rifle, he tamed the West!” »
For more information on the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, scheduled for July 9-13, Click or tap here.
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