The 29th annual Licking PRCA Rodeo sponsored by the City of Licking and Licking Chamber of Commerce is Thursday-Saturday.
Gates open at 6 each evening. The pre-show starts at 7 p.m. and features “Cowboy Mounted Shooting” all three nights. The rodeo starts at 8 o’clock nightly.
Saturday is “Pink Night.” Wear your pink (most of the cowboys will have on pink shirts this night) and show the world you are tough enough to wear pink. In the evening, a balloon lift-off will take place. Buy a pink balloon in honor of someone you love who is a cancer survivor or who fought the fight against the disease.
Other special events on Saturday include the calf scramble for kids ages 6 to 11.
The wild horse race will take place at the end of the rodeo. Each team consists of three competitors. Two of the teammates have to rope and “hold” the horse, while the third member must saddle and mount the horse and attempt to stay in the saddle long enough for the ride to be counted.
Licking PRCA Rodeo was named “Best Rodeo/Horse Show” as the editor’s choice in the Best of Rural Missouri 12th Annual Readers’ Choice Contest.
Chris Pyle will return this year as announcer. This is Pyle’s seventh year to MC the rodeo activities in Licking. This former bull rider turned announcer is a favorite among locals.
Entertainment for the 29th PRCA Rodeo will be provided by John Harrison, who will also be barrelman for the bull-riding event.
Saturday offers a fun-filled day for all ages. South Main Street will be blocked off for a wide variety of craft vendors to set up, offering lots of handmade wares as well as delicious food and drinks. Vendors will be set up by 8 a.m. Musical entertainment will be in front of city hall.
The kids games begin at 9:30 a.m. in the lot behind Hood’s Frosty Treat. The morning starts with the “Tiny Cowboy” and “Cowgirl” contest for youngsters aged 0 to 5. “Little Cowboy” and “Cowgirl” contest follows right behind for those aged 6 to 12.
At 10 a.m. there will be a horseshoe contest. We will divide them into two categories, 1 to 6 years and 7 to 12 years.
The “Stick Horse Race” starts at 10:30 for kids aged 1 to 6. Kids aged 7 to 12 will then compete in the “Wheelbarrow Race.”
The fun continues at 11 for the “Chuck-A-Duck” contest. At 11:15 it’s time for the “Sack Race.” The “Egg & Spoon Race” begins at 11:30 with the “Wild Animal Race” at 11:45. Stick around for “T.P. Toss” at 12, and the games will wrap up at 12:20 with the “Watermelon-Eating Contest.”
The annual rodeo parade starts at 2 p.m. with line-up at the high school at 1:30. The grand marshal for this year’s parade is Jim Friend of Licking. The theme is “Bulls, Barrels and Buckskin.”
Learn more about the 29th annual PRCA rodeo in this week’s Houston Herald and the Messenger. Schedules and more about the event.