Every fall enthusiastic roping fans migrate to West Texas to take part in one of the most action packed roping weekends anywhere in the world. The last full weekend of October, this year it's the 25, 26, and 27th, brings an estimated 400 ropers and nearly 10,000 spectators to San Angelo to watch the best calf and steer ropers in the world chase a coveted "Cinch Roping Fiesta" title.
In August every year, the Roping Fiesta Committee begins the process of reviewing the year's current standings of calf and steer ropers to compile an invitation list for the 60th Annual Cinch Roping Fiesta. The final selection of invited ropers delivers an unprecedented fall event whose history dates back to a subtle beginning in 1954. Initiated as a fall draw to stock show and rodeo fairgrounds, the October Roping Fiesta has exceeded expectations and grown into, arguably, the most complete gathering of roping champions anywhere.
The first years were single steer roping events featuring legendary greats like Toots Mansfield, Sonny Davis, Tim Prather, and Jim Bob Altizer just to name a few. Each etching their name into the early history books of the Roping Fiesta. In 1962 the association began what has become one of the crowd favorites; the match calf roping. It takes place between rounds of the calf roping contest. In 2008 the roping committee added the Wold Championship Double Mugging to the Sunday schedule between rounds of the Steer Roping. This grassroots event has quickly become a fan favorite because of it's unpredictability and the occasional mishap.
In an effort to expand our roping venue, in 2011 the Association invited Ultimate Calf Roping to bring it's production skills to San Angelo during the Fiesta. UC Roping brings 400-500 amateur/novice ropers, and their families to the fairgrounds over the action packed weekend. These ropings are held in the climate controlled 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena and begin with the preliminary roping on Friday morning. All Ultimate Calf Roping action stops during the Cinch Roping Fiesta on Saturday so no one misses the main event, but kicks off again inside, immediate following the final run in the invitational roping.