A parade was held the previous Saturday afternoon. John Rognlien Sr. was the rodeo manager. A King and Queen were named and Dennis Genre was named Shetland pony king. The first rodeo events consisted of Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Calf Roping, Bull Dogging, Wild Cow Milking, Wild Horse Race, Stripped Horse Race, Men’s Relay Race, Women’s Relay Race and a Boot Race.

Without any sponsorship money or an advertising budget the Stampede group decided to drive to the local towns with a microphone and speaker system in the car where Wendlin Bohn provided musical entertainment and they informed everyone of the upcoming event.

There were 6,000 spectators in attendance. Joe Chase won the Saddle Bronc Event. The rough stock provided for the rodeo were purchased from the Elbow Woods area, currently under Lake Sakakawea. John Rognlien Sr. and Ray Elsworth packed up their saddles and got a ride to Elbow Woods, they purchased two saddle horses and the bucking stock. It is quite possible Elger Roles is responsible for transportation of John and Ray. They locked the horses in the corral and waited to start their ride back to Towner in the morning. The next morning they woke up to find that the corral gate had come open, so they had to find the horses and get them rounded up before they could take off. The first day they got as far as Max, ND where they stopped for the night and camped, the next morning they finished their journey and arrived in Towner.

The original Mouse River Stampede member are thought to be, but not limited to Mike Rosencrans, Joe Rosencrans, Ray Ellsworth, Leonard Ellsworth, Wendlin Bohn, Alfred. (Bud) Rosencrans, John Rognlien Sr., M.J. LaValley, Dan Kelly, and Billy Swearson.

In 1952, the Second Annual Stampede was held with over 4,000 in attendance. Local ranchers supplied the stock for the event. In 1953, the Stampede was a Rodeo Cowboys Association approved show and the prize money was $1,100. The event was now sponsored by the Ranchers and Farmers Horse Show Association This was the first year that Brahma Bull riding was added to the two-day event. A Rodeo Bowery dance was included in 1953.

In 1954, Fettig Brothers of Killdeer, ND became the first professional stock contractors for the Mouse River Stampede. In 1955, the 5th Annual Stampede was held having only 2,000 in attendance, there is no record of a Stampede in 1956 or 1957.

 In 1958, Jim and Pat Dugan, Towner area ranchers, attempted to bring back the “Stampede” with a two-day event held in May. M.J. LaValley, a long to rancher and rodeo supporter from Granville, provided the stock. Children’s Barrel Bending was added for the children as was Musical Chairs and a Cloverleaf pattern for the women.

In May of 1959 the Dugan Boys again sponsored the 2nd Annual New Mouse River Stampede. Ricky Payne and Ricci Rosencrans from Towner won the Shetland pony Race. During this era of rodeo the stock contractors were from out of the area as were most of the contestants. By the time bills were added up, the local organization was generally using red ink.