Did you know? New jersey has its own rodeo

Did You Know? New Jersey Has its Own Rodeo

Posted by
1 min read
September 8, 2024

When you think of rodeos, New Jersey might not be the first place that comes to mind. But nestled in the farmlands of Salem County is Cowtown Rodeo, the oldest weekly professional rodeo in the United States. Established in 1929 and running weekly since 1955, this rodeo has become a beloved Garden State tradition that transports visitors straight to the Wild West every Saturday from May through September.

Cowtown Rodeo was founded by Howard Harris Sr. and his son, Stoney, as part of the Salem County Fair. After a hiatus during World War II, the rodeo returned in full force under the direction of the Harris family and continues to thrive today. The event features everything you’d expect from a classic rodeo—bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and more, all in a rustic 4,000-seat arena​.

Visitors to Cowtown are treated to a piece of Americana that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Philadelphia and New York City. The rodeo’s atmosphere is as authentic as it gets, complete with an opening ceremony where cowboys ride into the ring, often with the national anthem playing under a cotton-candy sky​ ad dusk.

Photo: did you know? New jersey has its own rodeo

Families pack the stands, eager to watch daring feats of horsemanship and rodeo skills passed down through generations.

Cowtown has garnered national attention throughout its history, even appearing on television in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it’s still a draw for top-tier cowboys and cowgirls from across the country. In fact, many of the animals used in the competitions are raised by the Harris family themselves, ensuring that Cowtown continues to be a truly homegrown operation.

If you’re ever in South Jersey on a summer weekend, this rodeo is a must-see event that mixes history, excitement, and a bit of that cowboy spirit. So, throw on some boots, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride—Cowtown Rodeo is living proof that New Jersey’s roots run deeper than you’d think!

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version