Stampede goes to the bears

Animals among new attractions

By Jakob Rodgers, The Tribune

Published June 26, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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In many ways, Johnny Welde's pets are like everyone else's - they are brown and furry and enjoy rides across the country.

Indeed, Welde's pet bears are just like any other household animals.

"When I start the truck again, they all come running to the door," he said. "They all want to get in the trailer and go for a ride - just like a dog."

Welde and six of his furry companions will be among the new attractions at this year's Greeley Stampede, which opened Wednesday at the Island Grove Regional Park, 14th Avenue and A Street in Greeley.

The Stampede, which organizers claim is the largest Fourth of July rodeo in the world, is slated to run through July 6.

While the tried and true favorites - The Bill Hames Carnival, the Western Art Show and the concert series - will continue at the 86th running of the Stampede, the event also will feature several new attractions, including Welde and his "pets."

Welde, owner of Bearidise, a six-acre-plus ranch in Myakka City, Fla., does 10 shows a year with several of the 10 bears he owns. The European brown bears become more than merely pets, he said.

"They are furry humans to us," he said. "They're basically part of our family, is what I'm trying to say."

That strong connection with the animals is what drives Welde to educate spectators about these large animals. He said that some people find it amusing to feed and take pictures of wild bears, something he finds unbearable.

"Then they get more and more trusting and they wind up getting into people's houses," he said. "I hate to see bears get shot or put away if they don't have to."

Along with the bears, this year's Stampede will feature several other new events. Residents attending the Xtreme Bulls Tour today will get to attend a concert by country band Diamond Rio immediately following the rodeo with the same ticket.

The Bulls and Broncs event July 5 will feature Mexican Bull fighting for the first time in about 10 years.

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