Our Past Is Present July 19, 2018

July 19, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s story comes from an article written for “The Daily Union” newspaper by our Curator, Heather Hagedorn.  The title of her article was “They Walked Among Us:  Sally Rand and Her World War II Rodeo.”

            On June 27-29 of 1924, Junction City hosted what the “Junction City Union” newspaper called a “Gigantic Rodeo.”  The event featured 150 rodeo stars.  Sally Rand was one of those top ranked celebrities. The event was held at Rather Stadium on the west side of Junction City. 

            Prior to the start of the ride, Sally spent many days traveling on a rodeo caravan to towns and cities within a 75 mile radius of Junction City to promote the event.  While staying in town, Sally was presented with a “key to the city” at a Junior Chamber of Commerce dinner.  She also received a badge and the title of honorary Geary County Sheriff. 

            Sally Rand’s husband enlisted in the Army during WWII and trained at the Cavalry Replacement Training Center at Fort Riley.  It was through him that Sally and some of their friends from the rodeo circuit put together this 1942 Rodeo fundraiser for Fort Riley’s Army Emergency Relief Fund.

            About 14,000 people were estimated to have attended the two day rodeo with the peak crowd of about 5,000 people on Sunday afternoon.  This large crowd remained despite a torrential downpour, which turned the grounds around Rather Field into a sea of mud.

            $2,500 cash prizes were awarded to the winners in the different categories of the rodeo. Tickets were 75 cents for general admission and $1.00 for grandstand seats. 

            This year the Geary County Rodeo Association will host their rodeo, which is one of the largest open rodeos in Kansas.  The event will be held July 20 and 21 this year at the Geary County Fairgrounds located at 1025 South Spring Valley Road.  Ticket prices are somewhat higher than in 1942, but well worth it if you like rodeo.

            And… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.