In 1997 we moved the rodeo to March hoping for better weather. Attendance was almost 800 and we topped 100 contestants.

Over the next several years we would struggle with windy weather and wide swings in temperature. Every event was a craps shot as we were unable to get weather insurance in those days.

That year one of the Grand Marshals was rodeo clown David Pizutti. David was famous and well loved on the gay rodeo circuit. The following year we would also be paying a different sort of tribute to David.

AIDS was sweeping through the organization. Everyone knew someone who was sick and dying or that had already passed. That year we suddenly lost founding President and Rodeo Director Gary L'abbe and many others. It was scary time.