Get ready to rodeo next weekend

It’s time to saddle up again, with the PRCA Cowboy Rendezvous Rodeo quick approaching. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23, with the main performances at 7:30 each night. Those who want to get an early start on rodeo activities can attend a meet and greet barbecue at Big Horn Federal on Thursday, June 21.

As of Tuesday, there were nearly 200 entrants including 21 bareback riders, 14 saddle bronco riders, 23 bull riders, 20 calf ropers, 28 steer wrestlers, 32 team ropers and 56 barrel racers.

Rodeo slack starts at 9 a.m. Friday, and the day is also Tough Enough to Wear Pink, with people encouraged to wear the color to promote breast cancer awareness. Merchandise will be sold that evening, with a portion of proceeds going to the community. The theme is a bit of a flip from previous years, as Friday has always been for honoring veterans, active military, law enforcement and first responders.

Instead, Saturday will be Patriot Night and people are encouraged to wear red, white and blue in support of our military, law enforcement and responders.

In addition to the slack and main performances, there will also be a United We Stand themed parade beginning at 10 a.m. Prior to the parade, stop by the Masonic Hall for a pancake breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m. for $7 per person.

Heather Hayes and TJ Owsley said with everything happening in terms of law enforcement it’s a good time to pull everything together through the rodeo and parade. Among the entrants in the parade are the Wyoming Highway Patrol Honor Guard and the Wyoming Bagpipers. Several departments in the Big Horn Basin have been invited, as well as political candidates.

Hayes noted the parade has been down a bit in recent years, and everyone is encouraged to enter the parade to make it big this year and let our veterans, law enforcement members, veterans and responders know we support them.

But don’t take a break from the rodeo once the parade is over. Another big part of rodeo weekend is the vendor alley, and this year it has been expanded into the fair building. And don’t forget to stick around the fairgrounds for the annual Chuck Mead Memorial Pack Horse Race, which is always entertaining and begins at 1 p.m. Saturday.

After the main event at the fairgrounds Saturday, be sure to head downtown for the street dance along the north side of Broadway with the Rattlesnake Ridge Band performing.

Anyone interested in helping out with the rodeo can contact Owsley at 921-0534. More information on the parade is available at thermopoliscowboyrendezvous.com