miss frontier tribute 2025
Miss Frontier, ambassadors of the greatest western event “Cheyenne Frontier Days™”
From 1931 to 2025, the year of the life size bronze! Honoring all the queens from past to present. A tribute to these strong pioneering women, their skilled riding abilities, respect of family and our country and leadership which make them wonderful role models for all women.
“Once a Queen Always a Queen”
- Ann Dinneen Smith
Lady in Waiting, Ann Dinneen and Miss Frontier, Lois Hofmann
Although the vision of a life-size Miss Frontier on horseback began a year and a half ago, its roots go back six years earlier with the passing of two remarkable women - both Miss Frontiers, both dear friends, and both mothers of identical twin daughters.
In January 2019, Miss Frontier 1946, Lois Hofmann Deaver, passed away. Just one month later, Miss Frontier 1947, Ann Dinneen Smith, followed. To honor their mothers, Janet Hofmann McLean, Marcia Deaver Swisher, Amy Smith Meier, and Annie Smith Jackson purchased banners of Lois and Ann in their Miss Frontier days to be displayed at the Old West Museum.
Rita Holmes, Tricia Pattno, Deidre Kilty, Dede Schuppan, Shirley Holmes
By July of 2019, Janet and Marcia promised five former Miss Frontiers that by the 90th Celebration in 2021, every Queen would be represented with her own banner. With the help of Miss Frontier 1982, Tricia Pattno Nichols, that promise was fulfilled. At that same celebration, Amy and Annie wrote and produced the Miss Frontier Anthem to honor the legacy of all the women who carried the title.
Annie Smith Jackson, Marcia Deaver Swisher, Amy Smith Meier, Janet Hofmann McLean
From there, the vision only grew. To further honor these incredible ambassadors of Cheyenne Frontier Days™, Amy, Annie, Janet, and Marcia began the journey of raising more than $300,000 - with the support of many generous friends and community members - to bring to life a permanent tribute: a life-size bronze of Miss Frontier on horseback, standing proudly at the entrance of the Old West Museum
The Beginning of Miss Frontier
In 1931, Jean Nimmo Dubois made history as the very first Miss Frontier, launching a proud tradition that continues more than nine decades later. That year, the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Committee decided the rodeo needed a queen. The first Miss Frontier was chosen through a spirited community contest, where organizations nominated their “champion” based on who sold the most event tickets.
Today, the honor is earned through a comprehensive process that includes applications, scrapbooks, horsemanship demonstrations, and interviews.Whether making her grand entrance in the rodeo arena, greeting cheering crowds during parades, or representing Cheyenne Frontier Days™ across the country, Miss Frontier embodies the true spirit of the Western way of life.Those who have worn the crown carry that honor for a lifetime, forever ambassadors of Cheyenne Frontier Days™, The Daddy of ’em All®.
About The Artist
Joey Bainer, 35, has had a life-long drive to create. He grew up in a small town and the opportunity to explore one’s creative mind was always present. He spends hours upon hours working on various projects, only to tear them apart and start over due to a design alteration. Never willing to settle or be satisfied, he continues to grow, and aspires to reach the next level of expression through his discipline in art. The inspiration behind his work is rooted in truth. Joey takes an idea or emotion and accentuates it through proportion focused design. Passionate for people and their unique perspective, he strives to capture their essence in one moment of time. All of Joey’s works demonstrate a commitment to design and measurement while maintaining the model’s individual expression. Joey strives for excellence in his work. We are thrilled to have the brilliant talents of sculptor Joey Bainer throughout this project.
