Nearly 200 entrants for rodeo

The Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Rodeo hits town on June 24-25.

There are 197 entrants, and that may go up with re-entries. Gayla Mead-Ellis explained when entrants put in their information a computer selects which events they will compete. If there is a scheduling conflict, cowboys will go in and re-enter. She further noted they are expecting to get more top names this year.

There’s also been a great bunch of volunteers who’ve stepped up to help in various areas, Mead-Ellis said. These jobs are also important, as every year the PRCA has awards for the rodeos they put on. Thermopolis has been nominated for Best Small Town Rodeo in an Outdoor Setting in past years, Mead-Ellis said, and it’s her hope to win it.

The rodeo activities start at 9 a.m. Friday, June 24 with rodeo slack at the fairgrounds. Admission is free. At 4 p.m. the same day, the rodeo gates and the vendor alley open. Vendors include food and other items. A Wild Bunch members only dinner is scheduled for the fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m., and the rodeo performance gets underway at 7 p.m. with Patriotic Night; red, white and blue are the colors of the evening, which will honor veterans and those currently serving.

Saturday, June 25, things get started with a free pancake breakfast at the fairgrounds, and be sure to check out the parade at 10 a.m. The route will travel east from Shoshoni Street, along Sixth Street, turn at the light and head east to the VFW. The parade will include the running of the bucking horses, and Mead-Ellis reminds everyone these are wild animals and people need to stay behind tape lines for their own safety.

After the parade, it’s back to the fairgrounds for the Chuck Mead Memorial Pack Horse Race, beginning at 1 p.m. In the evening, performance again starts at 7 p.m., with the Tough Enough to Wear Pink theme. People are encouraged to come out in pink to show their support for those battling cancer.

The fun winds down with a dance for everyone that night. Though past years have seen the dance at the fairgrounds, this year’s will be in the downtown Thermopolis area.

For more information, visit http://www.thermopoliscowboyrendezvous.com.