It's Rodeo Time Again In Gerry
By PAUL COOLEY
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8/8/2007 - Anyone driving past the Gerry Rodeo Grounds a couple of days ago might have thought that the signs advertising the 63rd annual PRCA rodeo slated for tonight through Sunday had the incorrect date as the place was nearly deserted. Only a dozen or so vehicles were there as a few firemen were putting the final bolts into the new bleachers and adding fresh paint to some of the buildings at their arena.
Now, only hours before the opening performance at 8 p.m., the entire scene has changed and the rodeo grounds is a small city on wheels. Semi trucks have delivered the bucking chutes along with more than 110 head of bulls and horses. Campers, motor homes, pickup trucks from across the nation surround the arena as nearly 100 professional cowboys and cowgirls are set to compete for $25,000 in prize money. The license plates read Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and more.
Display tents from the nearly 30 vendors are popping up along the midway. Already one can smell the cinnamon taffy and the cotton candy machine is being tested. Smoke is rolling from the beef barbeque pits where 1,200 pounds of beef is almost done cooking for the dinners starting at 5 p.m. The sights, smells, and sounds of a real Western rodeo are everywhere.
Tonight's opening is the first of six performances this week with evening shows at 8 p.m. through Saturday and afternoon matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. The traditional rodeo events of bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, bull riding , and barrel racing along with the comedy of clowns, the daring of bull fighters, and the specialty acts of Brad ''The Wild'' Hair combine to make this an event for the entire family.
The barbeque beef dinners are served nightly beginning at 5 p.m. and at noon on Saturday and Sunday in the newly remodeled and air conditioned ding hall.
This is a true professional rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association of Colorado. Competitors must be members of that organization and pay entry fees for each event they enter. The stock contractor for the 19th year is the Barnes Rodeo Company of Peterson, Iowa, who have been in the rodeo business for 56 years, producing about 35 rodeos each year across the country.
Another highlight of the week's festivities is the Rodeo Worship Service held in the rodeo arena Sunday at 9 a.m., with a musical concert by Amos and Cookie Mazzant, who feature gospel vocals along with their talents on banjo, guitar, trumpet, and keyboard. Jason Runfola, a saddle bronc rider, will be the speaker. There is no charge but a free-will offering will be taken. In case of rain this event will be moved to the rodeo dining hall.
Additional information can be obtained by phoning 985-5754 or 985-4847 or by visiting the rodeo website at www.gerryrodeo.org.
Now, only hours before the opening performance at 8 p.m., the entire scene has changed and the rodeo grounds is a small city on wheels. Semi trucks have delivered the bucking chutes along with more than 110 head of bulls and horses. Campers, motor homes, pickup trucks from across the nation surround the arena as nearly 100 professional cowboys and cowgirls are set to compete for $25,000 in prize money. The license plates read Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and more.
Display tents from the nearly 30 vendors are popping up along the midway. Already one can smell the cinnamon taffy and the cotton candy machine is being tested. Smoke is rolling from the beef barbeque pits where 1,200 pounds of beef is almost done cooking for the dinners starting at 5 p.m. The sights, smells, and sounds of a real Western rodeo are everywhere.
Tonight's opening is the first of six performances this week with evening shows at 8 p.m. through Saturday and afternoon matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. The traditional rodeo events of bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, bull riding , and barrel racing along with the comedy of clowns, the daring of bull fighters, and the specialty acts of Brad ''The Wild'' Hair combine to make this an event for the entire family.
The barbeque beef dinners are served nightly beginning at 5 p.m. and at noon on Saturday and Sunday in the newly remodeled and air conditioned ding hall.
This is a true professional rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association of Colorado. Competitors must be members of that organization and pay entry fees for each event they enter. The stock contractor for the 19th year is the Barnes Rodeo Company of Peterson, Iowa, who have been in the rodeo business for 56 years, producing about 35 rodeos each year across the country.
Another highlight of the week's festivities is the Rodeo Worship Service held in the rodeo arena Sunday at 9 a.m., with a musical concert by Amos and Cookie Mazzant, who feature gospel vocals along with their talents on banjo, guitar, trumpet, and keyboard. Jason Runfola, a saddle bronc rider, will be the speaker. There is no charge but a free-will offering will be taken. In case of rain this event will be moved to the rodeo dining hall.
Additional information can be obtained by phoning 985-5754 or 985-4847 or by visiting the rodeo website at www.gerryrodeo.org.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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