History

MIGRA's roots go to a gay country-western bar in Long Beach, California called Floyds, and with the Los Angeles chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association (GSGRA). Their second rodeo was such a phenomenal success, it left impressions on most everyone who attended.
 
Jim Brown, who was originally from the Midwest, but lived at the time in Long Beach, thought to bring the concept back to Detroit and Michigan.  He moved back because of family matters, but missed the atmosphere of Floyd's and the annual Los Angeles rodeo.

MIGRA was formed on April 12, 1994 in Detroit.  From the original meeting, 32 people joined and became "Charter Members" This designation, also found on their badges, indicates the first 50 members of MIGRA.

MIGRA in it's first year of operation:
 - Held 41 bar nights
 - participated in nine community events not put on by MIGRA
 - held seven events of it's own including:  "Sock Hops", "Mardi Gras Party", and "Boots and Boxers"
 
MIGRA is still the only rodeo association that went from "0" to "Let's Rodeo" in 14 months....the fastest in IGRA history.
 
In preparation for producing the first rodeo in 1995, MIGRA printed:
- 40,000 business cards
- 2,000 posters
- 70,000 quad-folds
- 80,000 color flyers
 
It's first rodeo was attended by people from 15 states, three provinces and covered by straight media such as the Detroit News and Public Radio in Ann Arbor. It also opened some eyes when it was the first GLBT organization to sign a contract with the State of Michigan for the use of the public facility, the Michigan State Fair Grounds.

By MIGRA's second year, there were 167 members, making it the seventh largest rodeo association in IGRA, out of 19 associations at that time.  MIGRA started acquiring notoriety in IGRA as the "association that handles the chutes" as its members volunteered at other rodeos for chute duty.

MIGRA has through it's member cowboys and cowgirls, won numerous awards and trophies in competition as well as volunteerism.  MIGRA also has donate well over $25,000 to various charities since it's inception, as well as provided a unique community based sporting event unlike any other in our community.  It has been a nexus for various organizations, groups, and individuals who wanted to show community pride and a connection to the larger communities of GLBT and straight rodeos from which we draw our heritage.

As a "concept" and function, MIGRA provides an opportunity to educate a mostly "urban" market of the Country/Western lifestyle and identity, plus produce a sporting event that could arguably be called "THE ULTIMATE" X-treme sport.