Rodeo kicks off county fair this weekend

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Sports

July 28, 2011 - 12:00 AM

Rodeo time is here for Allen County.
The 26th annual Allen County Fair Rodeo kicks off the 118th annual Allen County Fair here Friday. The rodeo had been a mid-week attraction at the fair for 25 years but now is front and center in 2011.
Over 200 contestants — men, women, boys and girls — are competing in events in the two-night run of the rodeo. On Friday and Saturday nights some of the top contestants in the 2011 United Rodeo Association (URA) will perform.
Performances are at 8 o’clock nightly at the Lyle Dreher Roughriders Arena. Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-10. Children under 5 will be admitted free with a paid adult.
Allen County’s rodeo is sanctioned by the URA and the Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association (MRCA).
According to entry sheets, rodeo fans will see 35 top 10 ranked URA contestants in the nine events spread throughout the two performances. Those nine events are bareback bronc riding, calf roping, over 40 calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, women’s barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.
C.R. McKellips Rodeo Company of Raymore, Mo., is the stock contractor, providing the rodeo’s rough stock. Charlie McKellips is the arena announcer with Tuffy Gessling as the rodeo funny man and speciality act. The bullfighters are Derek Search and Cody Lunceford.
Leading into both evening rodeo performances is mutton busting at the arena. Boys and girls may register at 6 p.m., limited to the first 30 riders each night. There is a $5 registration fee per rider.
Mutton busting competition begins at 7 p.m. The top five riders will compete during that evenings’ rodeo for a cash prize.
Rodeo is a family sport with something for everyone to enjoy. Besides the mutton busting, the Allen County Fair Board has added several events for youngsters at the rodeo.
For boys and girls, ages 7 and under, Friday has the boot/shoe race and Saturday features a stick horse race. The boot/shoe race has each child taking off one boot or shoe, putting it in the pile at the center of the rodeo arena then it’s off to the races. The first three children to find their boot or shoe, put it on and cross the finish line will receive cash prizes.
In Saturday’s stick horse race the first three children to cross the finish line with their stick horses will win cash prizes. Boys and girls are encouraged to bring their own stick horses to ensure entry into the race but the fair board will provide some stick horses.
For boys and girls, ages 8 to 12, both nights of the rodeo will have a chicken scramble. Chickens will be released in the arena and each kid who catches a chicken has the option of keeping it or trading it in for cash.
Rodeo sponsors are B&W Trailer Hitches, Humboldt, and Twin Motors Ford, Iola.

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