Happy Trails - Celebrating 100 years of Roy Rogers

Roy Rogers was everyone's image of what a cowboy should be, from his white Stetson with its silver hatband to his hand-tooled boots. His face was strong and handsome with eyes that squinted yet still showed a twinkle. His smile was warm and reassuring. Whether he was wearing fringed Western wear or a checkered cowboy shirt, he was the epitome of what a cowboy should be. He was the picture of honesty and integrity. And was there ever a more exciting sight than watching Roy and Trigger riding majestically across the television screen or a rodeo arena? No wonder three generations of kids (and adults) wanted to be like Roy Rogers. We wanted to look like Roy, dress like Roy, and be as honest and forthright as Roy.

Roy lived his life off camera with the same decency and humility that he projected on television and on the silver screen. He was the hero who never let us down. “The Roy Rogers Show” aired for 15 years and over the course of 100 television shows, 88 movies and countless personal appearances with his wife, Dale Evans and Trigger, he was a pillar of strength, honesty, courage and decency that impacted many.

Now in honor of what would have been Roy Rogers 100th birthday a two month birthday celebration kicks off on his birthday--November 5th --and culminates at the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2nd, 2012 with a spectacular float entitled “Happy Trails” featuring two of America’s most loved pets, Trigger, “The Golden Palomino” and Bullet, “The Wonder Dog.”

The national birthday celebration begins on November 5th with Roy Rogers Jr. performing at the Roy Rogers 100th birthday celebration in the Rogers’ hometown of Apple Valley, CA.