In the mid 1800s, brothers Thaddeus & Ruben Stover, and Pete Olsen set out with the pack horses in search of good cattle grazing land. Their search ended in what was then known as Big Meadows, now mostly found under Lake Almanor and on the east edge of Chester.

In 1879, Thaddeus Stover had a son Charles. Charles later partnered with Bert and Earl McKenzie to form the McKenzie Stover Cattle Company. In 1920, the Company put together the first of eighteen years of Chester Rodeos. During it’s time, the Rodeo was the social event of the year. It’s been said that the rodeo ended mostly because of the rowdiness between the cowboys and the loggers.

In 2004, a much quieter town of Chester teamed up with Cotton Rosser and the Flying U Rodeo Company to resurrect the Chester Rodeo, and pay tribute to the McKenzie Stover Rodeo. It was a sellout success, and this year we are back to honor our Pioneer ranchers.

The Rodeo itself will be held on Olsen Meadows in a portable arena, surrounded by meadows, mountains, and Lake Almanor, it’s easy to see why the Stovers and Olsens ended their search here. Please come join us July 7th and 8th, 2007 and become part of our history.