Cheyenne Frontier Days is world-famous for its rodeo, but for those who take time to look beyond the arena, it becomes something much bigger. From the people behind the scenes to the food, culture, and sense of place, Frontier Days offers a full Cheyenne experience—one that rewards visitors who stay a little longer and explore a little deeper.
We spoke with Alex Shebar of NYC Social Club, who works as a marketer for FunBiz and has experienced Cheyenne Frontier Days from a unique vantage point. According to Alex, there’s simply nothing else like it.
Since becoming a concessionaire at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2021, FunBiz has helped shape the food experience by focusing on locally sourced ingredients and overall visitor comfort. From repaving asphalt to adding handwashing stations, FunBiz looks beyond what’s served on the midway to how guests experience Frontier Days as a whole.
“There’s nothing like Cheyenne Frontier Days,” Alex says. “Even in Texas or at other rodeo events, it’s not the same. You can feel the legacy and history. It’s not just an event, it’s a culture.”
A Rodeo Built on History and Community
Unlike traditional fairs, Cheyenne Frontier Days is rodeo-first, with everything else built around it. That distinction matters.
“I expected it to be different,” Alex says. “It’s rodeo-focused with a fair built around it. If you go have expectations you almost have judgments, and I didn't want to do that. I went in with no expectations, and it was awesome from moment one.”
That open mindset has allowed Alex to appreciate what many visitors miss.
“It’s easy to get lost in the spectacle,” he says. “But if you talk to the people behind the scenes, you realize how many people have deep historical and cultural connections to Frontier Days. That’s where the real stories are.”
Experiencing Cheyenne Beyond Frontier Park
For Alex, Cheyenne Frontier Days is just one part of what makes visiting Cheyenne special.
“One of my favorite things is shopping around town—everyone is incredibly nice,” he says. “There's a hair salon I found that I always try to stop at, and I love the Western stores and pop-ups that are there during Frontier Days.”
Those small connections are what turn a CFD visit into an overnight stay. From downtown shopping to authentic western style, Cheyenne invites visitors to slow down, explore, and experience the city beyond Frontier Park.
Memorable Moments on the Midway
Some of Alex’s most memorable CFD moments didn’t happen in the rodeo arena.
“The Boot Babe, Ashley, brought down rodeo contestants and Cowboy Lifestyle Network to show off the food on the midway,” he says. “Being able to interact with the media and rodeo contestants was incredible.”
What stood out most was how naturally Cheyenne became a gathering place.
“They weren’t just there for the rodeo,” Alex says. “They came to celebrate the food and Cheyenne. It felt like Cheyenne was their home base.”
FunBiz, Fair Food, and the Visitor Experience
When it comes to Cheyenne Frontier Days food, Alex has his favorites.
“The fried pickles are my go-to—but I’m obsessed with pickles,” he laughs. “You also can’t go wrong with a classic turkey leg.”
But for Alex, what matters most is what happens behind the scenes.
“FunBiz sources food locally, and what they do better than anyone else is their meat,” he says. “And they genuinely care about the visitor experience.”
That care shows up in ways many guests may never notice—from infrastructure improvements to added handwashing stations designed to make long days on the midway more comfortable.
“They want people to leave happy and want to come back year after year,” Alex says.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Is Cheyenne
I asked Alex what Cheyenne Frontier Days represents, and the answer to him was simple.
“Frontier Days is Cheyenne,” he says. “When people think of Cheyenne, CFD will always be at the top. It’s the best representation of the city’s culture, history, and soul.”
And if he had to sum it up in just one phrase?
“The Daddy of ’em All,” Alex says. “When I first saw that, I thought, ‘That’s exactly right.’ You don’t need anything more.”
Come for the Rodeo—Stay for Cheyenne
Cheyenne Frontier Days may draw visitors in with world-class rodeo, but it’s the people, food, history, and unexpected moments that make them stay.
Plan an overnight trip. Explore downtown Cheyenne. Talk to the people who help bring Frontier Days to life, because once you experience Cheyenne Frontier Days beyond the arena, you’ll understand why there’s truly nothing else like it.
All photos courtesy of FunBiz/Alex Shebar.