A Lifelong Commitment

In 1968 an eighth grader named Dennis Parry helped to sell concessions at the Snake River Stampede for the Exchange Club in Nampa, Idaho.

In 1992, he joined the Board of the Snake River Stampede, filling his father’s old spot of overseeing the concessions and the parade, which had involved the utilization of both father and son’s keen retailing skills.

In 2003 and 2004, Dennis Parry was the President of the Snake River Stampede Association.

Today, Dennis is the organizer of the ‘Buckaroo Breakfast’…an early morning kick-off to the Stampede’s festivities. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day. And what Dennis does is, after all, very important to the Stampede. He’s been a part of it for at least forty-two years and counting.

What has transpired in those forty-two years is his story alone to tell. I got some bits and pieces of it from him recently, as I visited with him at his office at the back of Lloyd Lumber in Nampa. He is the business manager there.

Dennis recalls what he termed the ‘Old Stampede’, where the local Scouts, volunteers, and the American Legion formed a cooperative effort with the City of Nampa to help with the parking of the cars at Lakeview Park, near the Old Stampede grounds…what was known to Nampans as the Green Arena. It was imperative that this be carefully coordinated, because there were sprinkler valves to be considered. One car parked in the wrong place and damage would occur, at a cost to the City. The ushers really had to know what they were doing. They even had a ‘Director of Parking’ to supervise the effort.

“There was a lot of Nampa support,” Dennis said, “You have to understand that back in those days, there was really not that much to do. There were one or two big events during the summer. And the thought of just running into Boise for no good reason would be considered ‘wasteful’.” The Stampede season was big to the people of the community.

“The Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Exchange and 4-H Clubs would sell concessions, and they still do this. When they understood that the Stampede would be moving to the new Idaho Center, these clubs worried that they’d get left out. That was a big concern. The majority of their funds for the year were raised at the Stampede.”

But they weren’t left out. They are still the chief vendors at the Snake River Stampede; the Board does not let any outside vendors sell at the Idaho Center during the rodeo, other than a few non-competing vendors, such as Mini Donuts, The Nut Guy, some Italian Shaved Ice, and a coffee vendor. The real food, the stick- to- your- ribs hot dogs and hamburger stuff…is sold by the Clubs. The community (and its clubs) are still very much involved. Despite the move from the old green arena to the Idaho Center, no one got left out.

The Board tries to bring a little of the old green arena into the Idaho Center each year. The put up what they call the ‘arena wrap’: green and gold wrapping that drapes the newer arena in the old arena’s colors. This takes no small amount of time, but what a worthy effort in the name of nostalgia.

To the die-hard green arena goers of the past, Dennis offers this:
“One hundred degrees in July versus eighty degrees at the Idaho Center.”
You just can’t beat the air-conditioned comfort. Not to mention that the seats are a far sight more comfortable than the seating of the old arena. Those that might not have been able to take the heat of an outdoor event could now much more easily attend the indoor event. Not a bad deal.

There was a little issue with the dirt at the new location during the first year or two. Initially, according to Dennis, the Idaho Center’s intended use was for the Snake River Stampede, and many other agricultural functions. But the concert crowd had their eye on that huge arena too, and before long they were desirous to hold concerts there. The floor, however, was all in dirt. This did not stop the first concert, which Dennis said was the Moody Blues (or would that be the ‘Muddy Blues’, because of the flooring?)

The folks at the Idaho Center attempted to roll the dirt out, covering it with a carpet-like material. Looking out over the floor seats at the concert, those from the bleachers could see ‘wavy’ rows of chairs. Not too groovy. By the third concert, the Idaho Center could see that there was going to be a need for concrete.

With a concrete floor, now the dirt was going to have to be hauled in, and installed. This was no small feat. Holes were made in the floor, in which were stuck steel stakes, then 2 x 12 boards were wired to the stakes. These sections were then filled to the height of those boards, and probably a little bit beyond.

The type of dirt was another consideration. It couldn’t just be any old dirt; it had to be safe enough for those competing and their horses in the events of such things as bareback, saddle, and bull-riding. One twisted limb from a huge dirt clod and there were problems for that horse and rider. But about four or five years ago, Dennis told me, they found what they were looking for. A place was being excavated in Boise and they got the dirt from the deal. It was sifted and sifted and sifted some more; until it was virtually rock-free. This dirt, I was told, is ‘recycled’ the day after the rodeo, and taken in a big scoop truck, hauled off to a contained area.

The Stampede is very protective of its dirt. The Monster Truck guys don’t get to use it. The Idaho Center has ‘other’ (no doubt inferior) dirt for them. The only ones they might consider allowing a loan of the Special Dirt are the PBR organization; or maybe something ‘Ag’ related. (Everyone else need not even ask).

Dennis spoke of the livestock contractors. Once the rodeo begins, he said, it’s really their show; they’re in charge. Mike Cervi, formerly of Butler Brothers, started a contracting outfit years ago out of Colorado, and his sons now run the show…literally.

Dennis was also impressed with the rodeo announcers. He said they know, live, and breathe rodeo. They’ve done all of the research, including a competitor’s style of riding, the horse’s name; everything. They keep the ‘sound flow’ going, as if they were two DJ’s, or TV personalities. Because there are two of them, and because they’ve done their homework, they always have a topic to talk about.

Although, he said, ‘slack’ is a very different critter altogether. Slack happens before the evening performances. This is also a competitive time, done during the day to be able to get everyone that wants to compete scheduled. There is no music; there are no announcers. The only sounds you hear are the recording secretary announcing who’s up next, and possibly the pounding of the ground and other raw sounds, if you’re sitting up close enough to the action.

“It’s a whole different game,” Dennis said, and he encouraged me to attend that portion of the Stampede.

“Rodeo is a tough sport,” he reflected, “the ropers last a bit longer….but those that we call the ‘rough’ stock riders…they last anywhere from two to ten seasons.”

He stressed that the Stampede Board is made up of volunteers, there is no salary linked to these positions. All of the money goes right back into the community. If the rodeo weren’t present, he said, there would be a huge dent in the fundraising. Other organizations benefit as well. Nampa merchants. Car dealerships (several of which are conveniently located adjacent to the Idaho Center). Hotels. Restaurants.

Dennis stated that the Stampede, for him, has been a lifetime commitment.

“I do it for the pure pleasure of being able to give back.”

That legacy is being passed on, as he has one son from Oregon coming in to help each year, and another that makes sure to attend, as well. Dennis is, as he has no qualms about saying, very proud of the rodeo.

“We are the reason there’s an Idaho Center.”

Visit the Snake River Stampede’s website and mark your calendar. The Stampede is coming to town. And great news….this is your year to go.

http://www.snakeriverstampede.com/

Copyright © Amy Larson 2010. All Rights Reserved.