After years of watching lawn chairs, coolers and other personal belongings appear earlier and earlier along the Sheridan WYO Rodeo parade route, the Sheridan City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday restricting when people can begin claiming spots.
The rule prohibits anyone from placing personal property on public sidewalks, streets or alleyways along the parade route before 5 p.m. the day before the parade unless they receive authorization from the city.
Personal property left along the parade route too early will be confiscated and taken to a designated location, where owners can reclaim it.
A Race for the Best Spots
What once involved residents setting out chairs the evening before the parade gradually evolved into a race to reserve prime viewing locations days in advance, according to city officials.
"It was just becoming crazy," Sheridan Mayor Rich Bridger told Cowboy State Daily.
Police Chief Travis Koltiska said he has seen personal property appear along the route as early as Tuesday for a Saturday parade.
"People were going out earlier and earlier every year," Bridger said.
A Growing Problem
Koltiska said the police department repeatedly asked residents to wait until the day before the parade to place chairs and other items along Main Street.
Instead, the problem worsened.
"We saw this problem progressing," he said. "We asked for voluntary compliance and the problem seemed to exacerbate."
As more people claimed spots earlier in the week, others felt pressure to do the same.
"It feeds on itself," Bridger said.
The increasingly competitive scramble for front-row seats reflects the popularity of Sheridan's annual Rodeo Week celebration, one of the city's signature summer events. The parade routinely draws large crowds downtown and is one of the highlights of the weeklong festivities.
Safety Concerns
City officials say the growing volume of property along Main Street created significant safety and accessibility concerns.
Personal belongings often extended far beyond the curb, blocking sidewalks and making it difficult for pedestrians.
"It was a safety issue," Bridger said. "People couldn't get out of their cars. People were stacking their chairs so far back people couldn't move on the sidewalks."
Koltiska said the obstacles posed particular challenges for people with mobility limitations and anyone trying to access businesses along the parade route.
Main Street is not only the center of parade activity, Bridger noted, but also Sheridan's primary business corridor.
"Everything happens on Main Street as far as the parade is concerned," he said.
Businesses still need customers to access storefronts, and residents should be able to park and exit their vehicles without encountering rows of unattended chairs, coolers and other belongings, city leaders said.
Ultimately, officials concluded that a formal resolution was necessary.
"It reached a point where the only way to attempt to create a safe environment was to enact a resolution," Koltiska said.
Little Public Pushback
Despite the issue's history, the proposal generated no public opposition during Monday's council meeting.
Bridger said he expected at least some residents to voice concerns.
Instead, the resolution passed without public comment.
"It just went through," he said.
Brandy Campbell, secretary of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board, said the board has not taken a position on the matter.
"We really don't have a dog in the fight," she said, adding that she would need to speak with other board members before commenting further.
Koltiska expects reactions will be mixed once residents become aware of the new policy.
"I'm sure there's going to be mixed reactions to it," he said.
He emphasized that the city is not banning chairs or other viewing setups during the parade itself.
"No one is prohibiting people from using chairs," he said. "It's simply a timing issue."
A Different Approach In Lander
Other Wyoming communities that draw large crowds for summer celebrations have so far managed the issue without formal restrictions.
In Lander, where crowds swell dramatically during Fourth of July festivities, city officials rely largely on public cooperation and reminders to be considerate of others when claiming parade-viewing spots.
"We like to remind folks that parking lots are almost always private property," Lander Mayor Missy White told Cowboy State Daily.
The situation is somewhat unique because Main Street is a Wyoming Department of Transportation highway, meaning decisions involving the street and sidewalks ultimately fall under state jurisdiction rather than the city, White said.
As part of its annual parade guidance, Lander reminds spectators that chairs may be placed along Main Street sidewalks at the owner's risk, asks people to leave room for pedestrian traffic and ADA access, and encourages residents to obtain permission before placing chairs on private property.
So far, White said, residents have responded well.
"We've had a good response from the public," she said.
White said she hopes Lander never reaches the point where local leaders feel compelled to adopt an ordinance or formal resolution regulating parade-chair placement.
"My way of thinking about it is I really hope people stay respectful," she said. "I really hope we're not put in that awkward position.
"If we get to the level of an ordinance, really, we all lose. Because no one's going to be happy. So let's not do that. Let's behave appropriately, let's be responsible and respectful, and not come close to an ordinance having to be enacted."
Getting The Word Out
In Sheridan, city officials acknowledge the first year of enforcement will likely come with challenges.
"We'll have to experiment," Bridger said. "I expect that the first year will be a little rough. People will be surprised."
In the coming weeks, city staff and law enforcement officers plan an extensive outreach effort to make residents aware of the new rule before Rodeo Week begins July 8.
Koltiska said he intends to visit businesses along Main Street personally to explain the resolution and answer questions.
Many business owners already understand what city officials are trying to accomplish, he said.
The goal isn't to diminish the excitement surrounding the parade, officials say, but to strike a balance between preserving a cherished Sheridan tradition and keeping downtown safe and accessible.
Kate Meadows can be reached at kate@cowboystatedaily.com.
