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America’s Oldest Professional Rodeo Keeps Bucking
5 generations and nearly 100 years later, Cowtown Rodeo still operates as a family business
Jim Wright
As a kid from Philly, traveling 20 miles from my birthplace to the oldest weekly professional rodeo in America was an annual treat for the whole family. Cowtown Rodeo, located in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, shaped my perspective on American culture and Western folklore. Decades later, it’s still entertaining and educating thousands of young people.
I have fond memories of attending the rodeo. Brave cowboys handled the bucking broncos while rodeo clowns kept the crowd entertained and the cowboys safe. There were plenty of cowboy contests, but it was about more than the steer and the brave men in the ring. The rodeo showcased man’s connection with nature and livestock, hard work, and competition.
Founded by Howard Harris Sr. and his son Howard “Stoney” Harris Jr., Cowtown opened in 1929. Operations were put on hold during World War II, but the rodeo has operated continually from Memorial Day through September since 1955.
And Cowtown Rodeo is still a family-owned and -operated business today.
In 1978, Howard “Grant” Harris purchased the family business and became the fourth-generation owner. Despite receiving attractive eight-figure offers to sell the rodeo to other theme park interests, the family decided to stick with it on their own. Grant’s daughter Katy and her husband, RJ Griscom, are now at the helm.
“Net-net-net after taxes would be more money than we’d ever dreamed of. The interest on that money would have been more money than we’ve ever made. Interest. It was nuts! What am I gonna do with, net, let’s just say, 20 or 25 million dollars? And so, I told him no,” Grant Harris told YETI, one of the rodeo’s sponsors, in a video produced by the company.
With passion comes success. Over the past century the family-owned rodeo has garnered national attention and won many awards. Most recently, in July, Cowtown Rodeo was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and celebrated in Rodeo News.
The rodeo built its current 4,000-seat arena in 1967. Visitors can enjoy eight pro-level events — bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, tie-down roping and team roping — and Grant Harris' personal favorite and newest attraction, cowgirl breakaway roping.
Nelson Brown, who owns a carpet cleaning business in Laurel Springs, New Jersey, has been taking his wife, Stacy, and two children to Cowtown Rodeo for years. He described it as a family-friendly atmosphere “where children outnumber parents,” but “parents have just as much fun.” Nelson’s teenage daughter, Jessica, is now an accomplished equestrian in her own right, which Brown credits to Cowtown Rodeo for cultivating her interest.
The horses and bulls may have been “born to buck,” as Griscom says, but there’s plenty to do besides watch the competitions. Visitors can admire the beautiful countryside surrounding the rodeo grounds, browse shops selling traditional cowboy apparel, and visit the farmers market, open Tuesdays and Saturdays all year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cowtown Rodeo offers affordable entertainment for the whole family. Entry costs $25 for ages 13 and over and $10 for children 3-12, with younger children free. Seating is open-air bleacher style, first come, first served general admission. Parking is free. Seasonal tickets and group discounts are available, and visitors can save online fees by purchasing tickets at the gate.
If you’re seeking a slice of Americana or to just enjoy a good old-fashioned traditional rodeo in the great outdoors, Cowtown Rodeo is open on Saturdays until Sept. 30. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30, rain or shine. The rodeo typically ends around 10 p.m. RVs are welcome in the big open grass lot on the premises, and tailgating is also permitted.
Share Your Experience: Do you ever attend the rodeo? What’s your favorite part? Tell us in the comments section.
