Rooftop Rodeo will memorialize former queen Roxann Harris on July 9
ESTES PARK, Colo. – Roxann Harris always seemed to be giving back to others.
Her friends and comrades at Estes Park Western Heritage Inc. and the Town of Estes Park are going to honor that sentiment and her life during the Rooftop Rodeo, which is set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 8-Saturday, July 13, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park inside the Estes Park Fairgrounds.
“Her husband, Tom Harris, will be the grand marshal at the Rooftop Rodeo parade on Tuesday, July, 9, and we will be honoring her at the Queens Luncheon that day,” said Mark Purdy, chairman of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo.
“Our Tuesday performance will be Roxann Harris Night, and we will be performing a rider-less ceremony with her Rooftop Rodeo saddle, boots and hat.”
Harris, the 1982 Rooftop Rodeo queen, died Jan. 7, 2019, after a short illness. She was 53.
After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, she worked her way up the corporate ladder in commercial real estate. After meeting her husband, she and Tom moved to Steamboat Springs and purchase a ranch. Five years later, they moved to Douglas County and lived there until her death.
Harris first became involved in the royalty program at the National Western Stock Show, which led to her involvement with Miss Rodeo America, where she was elected to the executive board of directors. She coached girls on horsemanship, poise, public speaking, fashion and other skills needed to become rodeo royalty.
For the past six years, she was a co-chair of the royalty coordinator program for the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo.
“Roxann was one of the best souls I have ever had the chance to meet,” Purdy said. “She has supported many rodeo royalty young ladies over the years over the years, including my own daughter, Kellsie, and our close friend, Alex Hyland Cox. Please join us July 9 for a day of celebrating the life of our wonderful friend, Roxann.”