The 34th annual Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo sponsored by the Licking Chamber of Commerce will take place on Thursday through Saturday of this week (May 31 through June 2).
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 ages 6-to-11, and are available at Friend Lumber and Licking City Hall. Tickets at the gate will be $15, or $7 for kids 6-to-11. Children ages 5-and-under are admitted free.
Stock for this year’s rodeo will again be provided by Championship Pro Rodeo, and the arena announcer will be Chris Pyle, who has worked the Licking rodeo numerous times.
For the first time, the event’s clown and barrel man will be Scot Allerdings, of Gillette, Wyo., who grew up in a rodeo family and has worked shows all over the U.S.
Entertainment will be provided by horseback trick rider Dusta Kimsey, who’s part of her family’s Kimzey’s Tricked Out, based in Strong, Okla.
The pre-show attraction each evening will again be “Mutton Bustin’.” All kids ages 4 to 8 who weigh 55 pounds or less are encouraged to participate. Sign up will be from 5:30 to 6 p.m., and the action starts at 6:15 p.m.
On Thursday night, senior citizens get in for half price and children 11-and-under will be admitted free.
The night will also feature a tug-o-war competition between the Licking and Houston FFA chapters, and a big-screen TV will be given away (sponsored by Rinne’s Tire Pro).
On Friday night, all active military members will be admitted free, while spouses and retired military can get in for half price. The “goat scramble” for kids 5-and-under is scheduled for that night.
Following Friday night’s rodeo, Nashville musical artist Colin Nash will perform in concert. Nash is a former Salem resident who delves into country, blues and southern rock.
Saturday night is Pink Night, and 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 Cable America).
After the rodeo, the infamous “wild horse race” will be staged, with all its wild and wooly (and downright dangerous) action.
The annual “Rodeo Saturday” daytime event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., featuring games for all ages, entertainment, food and craft vendors. The annual parade starts at 2 p.m.
For more information, call the Licking Chamber of Commerce at 573-674-2510 or email lickingchamber@gmail.com.