PALM SPRINGS RODEO HONORS FRANK BOGERT, OUR “COWBOY MAYOR”

By Courtesy of Lea Goodsell
Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Legendary “Cowboy Mayor“ Frank M. Bogert put Palm Springs on the map as the world’s winter resort for presidents, world leaders, movies stars, the rich and famous, artists, sports stars, lovers of nature and cowboys. Born on New Year’s Day in 1910, he passed away on March 12, 2009 at 99 ½ years old. It is a telling statement that Bogert’s “wealth” is measured by the vast numbers of devoted friends who feel the world is poorer without him.

Bogert, a friend of multiple presidents and other heads of state, never forgot his rural roots. He treated busboys and CEOs with equal respect. A memorial rodeo for “The Cowboy Mayor” will be held in Palm Springs March 12, 13 and 14, 2010. Cotton Rosser, a friend of the Mayor, presented one of the last Palm Springs Rodeo 22 years ago with Bogert. Rosser is producing the Palm Springs Rodeo to honor the mayor with the support of the Palm Springs community. It is a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) event, which assures that it is a top-quality production. National advertising of the overall event has already begun.

The City, the Spa Resort Casino and the greater Coachella Valley community have come together to support the one-year memorial, which is produced by Spur of the Moment productions. The WestFest and rodeo site will be Caballeros Field, adjacent to the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Tickets are on sale now at www.palmspringswestfest.com to attend the Frank M. Bogert Memorial Rodeo. The WestFest, on the surrounding grounds, will be free to the public. That area will include the Taste of the West, Americana Collectibles and sponsor displays, Western lifestyle vendors, a Chili-Cook-Off and BBQ Competition, cultural areas, a Kowboy Kids Korral, Margarita Saloon and continuous live music throughout the three-day weekend. More detailed information about the event itself, as well as sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available at PalmSpringsWestFest.com.
Lea Goodsell
Goodsell Group
760-774-2999 (cell)