CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The outdoor rodeo Cheyenne Frontier Days will continue as planned this year after being forced to cancel last year during the coronavirus pandemic.

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon and Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins joined Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig on Wednesday during a news conference to make the official announcement, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.

Frontier Days is a rodeo and western festival in July that draws about 200,000 attendees each year. Its website calls it the world’s largest outdoor rodeo which features competing professionals, behind-the-chutes tours, trick riding, a wild-horse race and other activities.

Hirsig said the event will take place at maximum capacity and without a mask requirement, but will feature a new health and safety protocol focusing on increased sanitization, digital ticketing, cashless payment options and a clear bag policy. The measures are subject to change based on COVID-19 infection rates.

Guests are encouraged to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing with sleeves or tissues followed by immediate hand washing. People feeling sick or showing symptoms are urged to remain home.

“The main focus is cleaning and sanitizing high-traffic areas and cleaning those constantly as people come in and out,” Hirsig said, adding that volunteers looked at ways to keep everyone safe without limiting the size of crowds. The General Committee finalized the plan and presented to health officials, who later approved it.

“If there’s a strain that becomes dangerous and we have to social distance and mask, we’re ready. We’ve talked through those scenarios,” Hirsig said.

Frontier Days return music lineup includes Brooks, LeDoux

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Country music artists including Garth Brooks will perform at the first Cheyenne Frontier Days since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Frontier Days officials announced this week the rodeo festival will take place over two weeks in late July like usual after being canceled last year.

Besides Brooks, the night show lineup announced Thursday includes Maren Morris, Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, Ned LeDoux, Rhett Akins, Aaron Watson, Restless Road, Ashley McBryde and John King.

The 125th Frontier Days will be dedicated to Chris LeDoux, a Wyoming country music and rodeo star who died of cancer in 2005 at 56. A bronze statue of LeDoux, Ned LeDoux's father, will be dedicated at Frontier Park on July 23.

Frontier Days wasn't held last year for the first time in the event's history — a blow to Cheyenne's economy and social scene. Many locals take off work to volunteer at the event featuring daily rodeos, entertainment, a carnival and nightlife crowds.

No mask requirements or crowd size restrictions are planned this year.

Known COVID-19 infections in Wyoming have plateaued at a level somewhat higher than the rate last July but vaccine shots are now widely available in the state and cases are down sharply since December.