CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Cheyenne Frontier Days, a tradition that has seen generations of horses and guests from across the nation, kicked off with the Grand Parade in downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., July 20, 2019.
“Cheyenne Frontier Days began on Sept. 23, 1898, but the parades were not given much emphasis until they started the tradition of the Grand Parade,” said Kyle Brislan, 90th Missile Wing historian. “The Grand Parade became a normal part of CFD in 1925.”
Truly embracing the Wild West, the first celebrations of CFD and its parade had little structure.
Today the celebration is tamer, keeping the traditional feel with horse and carriage, buggies and a marching formation made up of Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
“I think it is great to show we are part of the community and that we support Cheyenne and that they support our military,” said Megan Alsup, military spouse and local nurse.
Even though the parade is no longer held to honor of visitors such as President Teddy Roosevelt or Buffalo Bill Cody, the base and community host visitors from around the world, showing them a bit of what is left of the Wild West.