1 / 10

A cowboy competes in tie-down roping at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

2 / 10

A cowgirl competes in barrel racing at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

3 / 10

A biker jumps at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

4 / 10

A biker jumps at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

5 / 10

A cowboy competes in tie-down roping at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

6 / 10

A cowgirl competes in barrel racing at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

7 / 10

A biker jumps at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

8 / 10

A biker jumps at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

9 / 10

Cowboys watch the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

10 / 10

A cowboy competes in tie-down roping at the Fiesta Days Rodeo Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Spanish Fork.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

❮ ❯

Thousands celebrated the Pioneer Day holiday at a jam-packed week of rodeo at the Spanish Fork fairgrounds.

The 84th annual Fiesta Days Rodeo consisted of five sold-out events held Monday through Friday at the 8,400-seat arena, dazzling crowds with some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Thursday’s rodeo also had its share of aerial theatrics, with a pair of dirt bike riders momentarily turning the fairgrounds into a large BMX park, launching their bikes off a ramp, over the rodeo clown and onto a landing airbag.

For many families in Utah County, Fiesta Days rodeo is an annual tradition and the ideal way to celebrate the holiday week.

“This is clean, good family fun, and obviously, the competitors are amazing,” Spanish Fork resident Heather Larson said. 

Just getting into the fairgrounds can be a challenge, though. City officials said each rodeo sells out soon after tickets are made available online, months before July.

Tracy, from Mapleton, said he has family members who jump on it right away and keep trying until they secure them.

“It was a beast, but they got them,” he said.

Larson, who said her family has gone to the rodeo for 12 consecutive years, puts the ticket release date in her calendar. If she forgets, there’s other ways to go about it.

“We usually can scoop some up,” she said. “People that can’t make it or whatever. Put our ear to the ground and we can get them.”

For those who don’t get tickets, though, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Fiesta Days and Pioneer Day in Spanish Fork. Friday featured the Grand Parade, which included marching bands, floats and more. People lined up along Center Street and Main Street. On Friday night, the Firework Spectacular Concert was scheduled.

Kirk Larson believes it is important to recognize the holiday.

“I like celebrating our heritage, learning where the settlers came from and why we’re here,” he said. “It’s good to understand history and learn from it and celebrate it.”