Evening parade is a hit

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Some who couldn’t attend usual morning affair appreciate change

July 9, 2008 - 12:07AM

BY RINA PALTA

THE GAZETTE

A smattering of lawn chairs, blankets and thousands of people, many in cowboy hats and Western shirts, lined both sides of Tejon Street on Tuesday night - all of them there for one purpose.

"To see the first rodeo parade at night," P.J. LeBaron of Colorado Springs said as two sheepdogs pulling a miniature homestead wagon skipped by.

The 68th annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade, usually a Saturday-morning affair, kicked off this year's rodeo at 7 p.m., and if residents vote with their feet, it seems they prefer the evening.

"It's a larger turnout than the Saturday parade," said Sgt. Philip Lebeau of the Colorado Springs Police Department. "And that's based on 28 years experience."

While his wife, Gloria, attends the parade every year, Clint Leeper, who arrived an hour and a half early to set up lawn chairs by the curb, said he usually misses out. "I couldn't get away from work during the day, these 20 years," he said. "I'm glad the parade was at night." Meanwhile, downtown bars and cafes were crowded with paradegoers sipping beers and munching pizzas.

"People are starting to leer with jealousy," said Alberta, Canada, resident Barbara King, seated with family in front of Jimmy John's.

Stephan King, who lives in the Springs, said he had no concept of rodeos and cowboys when he arrived a few years ago. "You get into western culture living here," he said, "I love it."

"Personally, I think it's a sense of community and small, hometown atmosphere" that keeps people turning out year after year for the rodeo parade, said Jeanne Galbin, leaning in the doorway of her store, Mt. Tejon. She filled the window display with Western styles for the occasion.