IPRA at Cumming Fairgrounds

The International Pro Rodeo Association is proud to celebrate 57 years of rodeo excellence. Founded in 1957 by two rodeo promoters, the Interstate Rodeo Association, IRA, was formed as a rodeo management organization and a sanctioning body. Concerned with expansion west of the Mississippi River, this new group’s primary interest was to enhance rodeo’s credibility with the news media in the east, where fly-by-night rodeos and Wild West Shows and unregulated contests had done much to discredit the sport. The Interstate Rodeo Association began counting championship points won at its rodeos in 1957 and named their first world champions at the end of that year. Included among the rodeos providing championship points that year was the famous Cowtown, N.J. rodeo, the sports first nationally televised event. In 1964, the Interstate Rodeo Association changed its name to the International Rodeo Association, with headquarters in Pauls Valley, OK, where the association was located until April 1993. Offices are now headquartered in Oklahoma City adjacent to the historic Oklahoma City Stockyards. The word “Professional” was officially added to the association’s name in 1983 giving birth to the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls in the International Professional Rodeo Association. The Cumming Fairgrounds was established in 1995 and is located in the heart of North Georgia. Their beautiful 33.39 acre Fairgrounds hosts a 6,716 sq. ft. Exhibit Hall, a 44,100 sq. ft. Covered Arena, and a 12,000 sq. ft. Livestock Barn. Their Fairgrounds hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year.