Cattlemen’s Days Parade Marshals
2024 Honorary Parade Marshals
Dale Irby and Brett Redden
Dale
Irby
As Dale Irby would say, Howdo! Dale Irby was born in Gunnison, Colorado on May 20, 1962. He spent his childhood running wild in the pastures his family owned. Riding his yellow bike on the train tracks until the sun went down. Dale loved Colorado, and most importantly the family ranch in which he was raised. Dale loved working on the ranch, it was in his blood and he enjoyed the many responsibilities that came his way. He was one hell of a horseman and had a soft spot for every horse saddled. His responsibilities within the ranch made him the person who he was and led him to all the success he gained.
Dale wore many hats, not only was he a loving husband, great father, loving grandfather and great grandfather, he was widely known for his contagious laugh, helping hand, and hard work. His kind personality filled every room he walked in. With a deep need to help his community Dale engaged in 4-H along with FFA in high school. He followed in his family’s footsteps and served for many years on the Cattlemen’s Days Committee. He was president from 1994 to 1995. Dale loved helping with the auctions, including the junior livestock. He soon became known as the “yup-yup man”. From carrying bags of money from the carnival to being in the crow’s nest for the horse races. Dale had many wild nights at the rodeo grounds watching the animals and party goers after the bars had closed!
Dale had an old soul and always had great ideas to turn things back into their “Western” ways. He would spend hours waiting for the grounds to clear in order to have an old-fashioned “shoot out” with his buddies. No guns were involved, but by-golly they would tell tales until the cows came home.
Dale enjoyed many things, including his hobbies, wood work and trucking. He spent countless hours working away, making little projects for his family, including the animal signs that hang with his granddaughters’ 4-H animals. He put his whole heart into his work, but most importantly Dale enjoyed life.
Dale was known and loved by many. He was the type of man who wore his heart on his sleeve and always lent a hand. When it comes to Dale, a whole book could be written about his life and all he did, his wonderful stories, and all the people he left a memory with. Dale will be missed by many but will forever be remembered.
Brett
Redden
Brett Redden had a life-long love of Gunnison’s Cattlemen’s Days Celebration. Brett was raised on the Redden Ranch on Ohio Creek, taking over operations of the ranch when his father passed away in 1992. Brett lived on and worked the ranch until he met his Father in Heaven, December 4th, 2023. Growing up, Brett showed heifers, steers, and horses at the Cattlemen’s Days Horse Shows and Livestock Shows. He won the Cattlemen’s Days Tractor Driving Contest numerous times. Brett served on the Jr. Livestock Committee, the 4-H Horse Show Committee, and the Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo Committee for over thirty-five years. In addition to chairing the 4-H Horse Show Committee, Brett served as Race Committee Chair, Parade Committee Chair, and President of Cattlemen’s Days. It is tough to say which official title was Brett’s favorite, but when he began his term as Cattlemen’s Days President, no one filled his shoes as Race Committee Chair. Coupled with the fact that things were changing in the world of racehorses and the layout of the county fairgrounds, so was the end of an era of horse races during the Cattlemen’s Days Celebration. Brett loved the race horses and mingling with the jockeys and horse owners. He ran a tight ship, and when he announced “Jockeys Up” from the Paddock, everyone knew it was time to race. Brett was honored as Cattlemen’s Days committee man of the year at the 2023 Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo, flanked on either side by his two daughters, Madaline and Lily. Brett devoted countless hours to Cattlemen’s Days – the fairgrounds were his second home.
In addition to Cattlemen’s Days, Brett was an integral part of the Community Church, the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, and several conservation programs for wildlife habitat. He worked for Representative Mike Strang in Washington D.C. in the mid 80’s and traveled abroad on 4-H exchange trips. Brett wanted to leave the world a better place to live for the generations to come, as evidenced by his strong commitment to helping the youth in the County. Brett’s daughter recently commented “Dad was just as excited for other Gunnison youth accomplishments as he was his own two daughters.” As you enjoy this year’s Cattlemen’s Days celebration, look to the skies and thank a life-long rancher, cowboy, and conservationist who is looking down upon us today, Mr. Brett Redden.
2025 Cattlemen's Days
There may be changes to the schedule.
FRI, JUNE 27 - 9:00 AM, 4-H Horse Show
SAT, JUNE 28 - 9:00 AM, District 4-H Horse Show
SUN, JUNE 29 - 9:00 AM, District 4-H Horse Show
JULY 2-5 - Carnival at the Fairgrounds
THU, JULY 3 - Mini Broncs and Mutton Busting
SAT, JULY 5 - 1:30 PM, Ranch Rodeo
SUN, JULY 6 - 8:00 AM, Open Horse Show
MON, JULY 7 - Cattle Drive Event
MON, JULY 7 - 8:30 - 11 AM, General Project Judging & Interviews (Concrete Room)
MON, JULY 7 - 9:00 AM, 4-H Dog Show
MON, JULY 7 - 6:30 PM, General Project Review/Awards (Concrete Room)
TUES, JULY 8 - 5:00 PM, Watershed Team Roping & Barrel Racing
WED, JULY 9 - 8:30 AM, 4-H Rabbit & Poultry Show (Rubber Room)
WED, JULY 9 - 2nd Annual Cattlemen's Days Golf Tournament
THU, JULY 10 - 9:00 AM, PRCA Rodeo Slack Events
THU, JULY 10 - 10:00 AM, 4-H & FFA Swine Show (Rubber Room)
THU, JULY 10 - 2:30 PM, 4-H & FFA Sheep Show (Rubber Room)
THU, JULY 10 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Golden Circle of Champions Rodeo
FRI, JULY 11 - 8:30 AM, 4-H & FFA Goat Show (Rubber Room)
*FRI, JULY 11 - 10:30 AM, 4-H & FFA Cattle Show (Rubber Room)
FRI, JULY 11 - 1:30 PM, Round Robin Showmanship (Competition between Showmanship winners of each animal species)
FRI, JULY 11 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Patriot Night Rodeo
SAT, JULY 12 - 10:00 AM, Cattlemen's Days Parade
AT, JULY 12 - 12:30 PM, Buyer BBQ (Rubber Room), $20 per person at the door
SAT, JULY 12 - 1:30 PM, Junior Livestock Auction (Rubber Room)
SAT, JULY 12 - 6:45 PM, PRCA Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy Rodeo
SUN, JULY 13 - 9:00 AM, Cowboy Church at the Fairgrounds
Printable Schedule of Events (PDF) Coming Soon
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