The 33rd annual Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo sponsored by the Licking Chamber of Commerce began Thursday and runs through Saturday of this week (June 1-3).
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. each day and the rodeo starts at 7 p.m.
Advance tickets cost $12, or $6 for children 11-and-under, and are available at Friend Lumber and City Hall in Licking. Tickets at the gate will be $15, or $7 for kids 11-and-under.
Stock for this year’s rodeo will again be provided by Championship Pro Rodeo. Owners Benny Cude (of Woodlands, Texas) and Zach Craig (of Woodward, Okla.) have many nationally acclaimed bulls, including two former top-ranked animals, Shakedown and Penny Lover. The top-tier bulls they will bring to Licking promise to add excitement to the bull-riding event.
The arena announcer will once again be Chris Pyle, who has worked the Licking rodeo numerous times.
For the second consecutive year, entertainer and barrel man will be Trent McFarland (of Hope Hull, Ala.). McFarland is renowned for several hilarious acts and says he really enjoys interacting with kids. He is a second-generation clown who is following in the footsteps of his father, Sid McFarland, who spent 40 years as a rodeo clown.
The pre-show attraction each evening will again be “Mutton Bustin’.” All youngsters between the ages of 4 and 8 weighing 55 pounds or less are allowed to sign up. Participants are required to wear long sleeve shirts and pants, and no open-toed shoes are allowed. Helmets and vests will be provided and are mandatory.
“Mutton Bustin'” is a wild and wooly competition featuring little kids attempting ride sheep. It has for years been a source of entertainment at the annual Licking PRCA rodeo, and will once again precede rodeo events all three nights.
Mutton Bustin’ contestants will be issued numbers that must be worn during the event. Sign up will be from 5:30 to 6 p.m., and the action starts at 6:15 p.m. Buckner and Gately Auction is sponsoring the event this year.
On Friday night, all active military members will be admitted free, while spouses and retired military can get in for half price. The kids’ goat scramble will be held that night.
Following Friday night’s PRCA competition, Nashville musical artist Collin Nash will be in concert. Nash (a former Salem resident who delves into country, blues and southern rock) is billed as a rising star who is making a name for himself with both musical talent and song writing skills.
Following the PRCA rodeo Friday night in Licking, former Salem resident Collin Nash will be in concert.
Saturday night is Pink Night. Everyone – including the cowboys – is encouraged to wear pink. During the rodeo, there will be a calf scramble for the kids, and another large screen TV will be given away, sponsored by CableAmerica. After the rodeo, the infamous “wild horse race,” will be staged, with all its wild, wooly and dangerous action.
The annual “Rodeo Saturday” daytime event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Vendors will be set up along South Main Street featuring a variety of items and activities including face painting, wooden signs, funnel cakes, baked goods, scarves, purses, dolls, toys, play mats, quilts, aprons, pottery, kettle corn, homemade root beer, home décor, jewelry, crochet, homemade cobbler, embroidery, Hawaiian ice, cotton candy, snow cones, cupcakes and more. G-Ma Pam’s Rack Pack will sell t-shirts and other items, the Roby Volunteer Fire Department will sell raffle tickets for an X-Box basket and an RCA tablet, and the Ozarks Older Iron Club will sell raffle tickets for an antique tractor.
Kids’ games start at 9 a.m. and will take place in the alley between the Licking News office and the old bank building. The fun starts with the Tiny Cowboy and Cowgirl contest, first for ages 0-5 and then for ages 6-10. The kids’ games will run until noon.
Other activities include a turtle race, sack race, egg and spoon race, “Chuck-a-Duck,” TP toss, the “bounce off,” ring toss, water relay race, “shoot out at the OK corral,” relay race, pebble toss and a cake walk.
The annual Rodeo Parade starts at 2 p.m. This year’s theme is “Wild, Wild West” and the line up starts at 1 p.m. in the Licking High School parking lot. Cash prizes will be on the line for the best three floats in the parade ($75 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third). Decorated bikes, ATVs, scooters and even dogs are expected to be on display in the parade.
For more information, call Haley Floyd-Joyner at 417-217-8133.