Wellsville Frontier Days was founded in 1961 by a group of families from Wellsville who wanted to organize a horse show for their kids. It began as a small show with various speed events like barrel racing. Calf roping and bull riding was added in the early ’70s. A rodeo ring was installed by club members at the location where the fire company carnivals are now held. Most of the spectators were Wellsville residents, who paid 50 cents for admission. Spurge Kimmel was the first president of the club. Meetings were originally held in the Wellsville Community Building, which was shared with the fire company and the 4H club. Club members wanted to move the organization outside of the community center to potentially hold more trail rides. Club member and attorney, Russell Griest, found three acres of unclaimed land across from the fire hall. Wellsville Frontier Days paid the back taxes and took possession of the land. In the early years, club members camped on the grounds and held trail rides twice a year on Memorial and Labor Day weekends. Nearly 300 riders attended! It began Saturday morning with breakfast, followed by packed lunches delivered to the riders by pickup truck, and ending the day back at the club for a large evening meal with music and dancing. Most members arrived on Friday night and stayed through the rodeo on Monday. The first addition to the grounds was the pump house and well. Over the years, additional parcels of land were purchased, followed by the construction of bathrooms, a clubhouse, and arenas. The club has grown and been sustained solely by volunteer labor from its members. We all share a similar goal and passion for sharing our love and knowledge of horses with each other and with you, the community that supports us. Over the years, numerous families have played a significant role in the club's development. We often hear their names mentioned in stories shared by the “old-timers.” Notable among them are John McClain, John Stauffer, the Kimmel, Pitcher, Sebright, Brandt, and Griest families, to name just a few. If you would like to be a part of our club, you can find more information under the Club Membership and Sponsorship tab.