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The Steamboat Springs Professional Rodeo Series came to a close Saturday night.

By 10:30 p.m. the roar of the crowd had faded, the broncs and bulls were tucked away in their pens and the end-of-season party was just about to get rolling in the loft at the Pine Grove Restaurant on the other side of town.

But just because the lights were off at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena didn't mean there were long faces at this party.

No, this bar was packed with a bunch of cowboys celebrating another successful season in Steamboat Srings the same way they always do -- with smiles on their faces, a plate of food in one hand and a drink in the other.

The tradition of rodeo in Steamboat has lived another year and given tourists a taste of the valley's Western lifestyle.

Mission accomplished.

But this night was about honoring the contestants and sponsors who make the rodeo what it is.

During the evening, cowboys, sponsors and organizers rub elbows while unwinding from a season filled with expectations. Usually you can see the stress from hosting a 10-week series wash off the faces of guys such as Brent Romick, John Shipley and the other board members.

They are usually on hand to give the gold belt buckles to the winners, but they are a little more laid back than normal. Often, many of the top cowboys can't make the dinner because they are on the road to find the next paycheck.

Still, the quest to earn the one-of-a-kind buckle took all summer, and on this night it's appropriate to take 15 minutes to deliver the prizes to those who won.

Now that the rodeo is over, Friday nights will be taken over by prep football and volleyball games.

But the cowboys who came out for this party were not focused on the end of the season but on the joy of being able to compete in a town such as Steamboat. Most of them will continue to travel to other towns and other rodeos to fill their hunger to compete. Others will hang up their spurs until the rodeo returns next June.

But if you are one of those people who can't seem to get your fill of rodeo in 10 weeks, don't fret.

The Steamboat Springs Pro Bull Riding Classic, which is next weekend, will give diehard rodeo fans one last chance to enjoy the taste of dust, the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the ride.

-- To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209 or e-mail jrussell@steamboatpilot.com