James F. Powers was very involved in the prosperity of Cheyenne Frontier Days™. He served six years on the Frontier Days Committee, three years as Ticket Chairman (1948-1951) and three years as General Chairman (1952-1954). Chuckwagon Racing had previously been discussed by the CFD Committee, so Jim headed a delegation to Calgary to see how they ran the event and if it would work in CFD facilities. It looked to be a perfect fit, so the “Chucks” were set to begin at Cheyenne Frontier Days™ in 1952. Jim arranged for Dick Cosgrove and Herman Linder, of the Canadian Chuckwagon Racing Association to come down and help set the course, establish rules, and train the drivers, out-riders, judges, timers, and the starter. A successful businessman in his private life, Jim applied his knowledge to the business of running a large-scale rodeo right away. He cut off all free tickets, starting with the Committee’s, and tightened other practices. The result was tremendous. All the bills were paid, the advance from the Chamber of Commerce was paid back and the “first-ever” profit of over $39,000 was realized. In 1952, he started the free pancake breakfast, which now feeds more than 30,000 people during Cheyenne Frontier Days™. He was made a HEELS member in 1954 and served as a judge and timer until his death.