July means rodeo time in Woodward

Time is rapidly approaching for the 78th edition of the Woodward Elks Rodeo.

Rodeo dates are July 16-19, but committee members point out there are events going on all week.

“It starts with the steer roping on Monday (July 14) in Buffalo,” said Neal Day, a member of rodeo committee.

The three-round event begins at 9 a.m. with two rounds. A third round starts at 7:30 p.m.

All of the roping is held at the Blake Lauer Memorial Arena just outside of Buffalo.

“We just do the three full rounds without a finals,” said Day. “That turns the ropers loose to go on to Cheyenne.”

On Tuesday, July 15, the focus moves to Woodward with the longhorn cattle drive from the Chain Ranch through downtown to the rodeo grounds.

Organizers said plans are to have the cattle drive reach downtown by noon this year.

On Tuesday night, rodeo competition starts with the slack at the Crystal Beach Arena, which is undergoing a major renovation this year. Events start at 6 p.m. Slack night usually offers timed events such as calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing.

Wednesday, July 16, kicks off with the downtown hamburger feed starting at 11 a.m. at Centennial Park. The event is free and some 3,000 people usually attend.

On Wednesday night the first performance of the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a calf scramble and steer riding for the youngsters.

As on every night of the rodeo, kids 12-under accompanied by an adult will receive free admission if they bring a non-perishable food item.

There will also be an open grand entry on Wednesday night only, where you can bring a horse, ride in the grand entry and receive free admission.

Northwest Passage will play for the dance at the Elks Lodge after the rodeo.

Thursday, July 17, features the annual barbecue at the rodeo arena starting at 6 p.m. The barbecue is free with a rodeo ticket. At 7;30 p.m. is mutton bustin’ and donkey bronc riding and the rodeo performance is 8 p.m.

On Friday, July 18, a hamburger feed starts at 6 p.m. with mutton bustin’ and donkey bronc riding at 7:30 p.m. and the rodeo performance at 8 p.m.

The dance at 10 p.m. at the fairgrounds features Mark McKinney followed by No Justice.

Events are set all day on Saturday, July 19. A parade through downtown begins at 10 a.m.

In the evening, a chuckwagon feed for $5 a plate starts at 6 p.m. The steer riding and calf scramble is 7:30 p.m. and the rodeo performance is a 8 p.m. The rodeo queen will be crowned during the performance.

Saturday’s dance at the fairgrounds has McKinney followed by Jason Boland and the Stragglers.

Saturday is also “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night where everyone is encouraged to wear a pink shirt. Committee members are hoping to raise $5,000 for breast cancer research.

This year’s specialty act will be Tim Lepard and his Ghost Riders where border collies with monkey’s riding them will be penning sheep. He also has several other acts and “will do something different every night,” said Day.

Lepard is also the barrel man.

Bullfighter Allen Dessel will make his first appearance at the Elks Rodeo and will bring a two-man teeter-totter, which will be used to fight bulls. Justin Clark is another bullfighter who will be on hand.

Charlie Throckmorton returns as announcer and Beutler and Son is the stock contractor.

Each night will also include the popular rodeo musical chairs with the finals on Saturday. The Santa Rosa Palomino Club of Vernon, Texas will be at the performances Friday and Saturday.

Construction is going on at the arena site and some areas may be fenced off, but things should go pretty well, committee members said.

Ticket prices for the rodeo are $10 for general admission, $15 for reserved seats and $20 for general admission.