The third full week in June in Siloam Springs always signals one thing -- it's rodeo time.
The 57th annual Siloam Springs Rodeo returns to town this week and will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Siloam Springs Rodeo Grounds off Cheri Whitlock.
Festivities actually kick off today at 8 p.m. with the annual Rodeo Street Dance held at the Community Building Parking Lot. The event will feature Fayetteville band Boston Mountain Playboys. In the case of inclement weather, the dance will move inside the Community Building.
The rodeo itself will begin each night, Thursday through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. with Mutton Bustin', followed by the Kiddie Grand Entry at 7:45 and the Grand Entry at 8 p.m. There will also be a nightly calf scramble for kids ages 12-and-under.
Rodeo events will start afterward.
In rodeo events, contestants will be competing in events such as bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, calf roping, bull dogging (steer wrestling), team roping, barrel racing (junior and senior), ladies breakaway and ranch saddle bronc.
Thursday is Kids Night at the rodeo, where all kids 12-and-under receive free admission with a paid adult.
From 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, there will be a Special Kids Rodeo, geared toward children with special needs. Adults with special needs are welcome as well. Among the events planned are barrel racing, horseback rides, face painting, bucking stations and wagon rides. All kids will receive a cowboy hat, a bandana and a medal. Lunch also will be provided.
On Saturday there will be a parade at 4 p.m., which starts behind Atwoods on Tulsa Street. Everyone who participates in the parade will receive a free ticket to the Saturday rodeo.
Parade prizes are: Best of Show: 1st - $75, 2nd - $50, 3rd - $25. Best Buggy $50, Best Wagon $50, Best Riding Club - $50. Winners will be announced Saturday night. The club invites people to bring out their wagons, cars, etc. Any entry is welcome.
General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 7-12. Kids 6-and under get in free.
Advance tickets are $5 and can be purchased at First Bank, Powell Feeds, Beyond the Fringe Salon, Pioneer Pizza in Gentry and the Hitchin Post in Kansas, Okla.
Sports on 06/17/2015