History behind Dodge City Days

(DODGE CITY, Kan.) — Dodge City has always enjoyed its celebrations.  Prior to 1960 two distinct festivals were held starting with the Boot Hill Fiesta in May, followed by the Dodge City Round Up in mid-Summer.
 
In 1960, community leaders decided to combine the two events into one and call it Dodge City Days.  An annual tradition was born.  In its infancy, Dodge City Days was a 3-day event and rodeo tickets ranged in price from 75 cents to $1.50. 

Since then it has evolved into a 10-day celebration that is well known nationwide.  Approximately 100,000 individuals attend at least one Dodge City Days event.

The original intent of Dodge City Days was to celebrate Dodge City’s western heritage, and that remains its focus today.  This year’s theme is “Harvest the Excitement”.

The first Saturday of each celebration is set aside for the Dodge City Days Concert.  The Roundup Arena is transformed to an outdoor concert venue where over 6,000 music-hungry fans enjoy live music.  This year’s headliner is Rodney Atkins, with special guest Brett Eldredge.
 
Guests return to the arena just a few nights later for another important event: the rodeo.  In keeping with its history, the rodeo remains a key element of Dodge City Days.  This rodeo is the second largest community event held in the entire state of Kansas.