Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

SW District Fair And Rodeo Slated For Sept. 26-30

Some of the top rodeo hands in the nation are expected to show up at the Southwest Arkansas District Livestock Show and Rodeo.

This year's festivities are a bit earlier than in years past as the SWAR Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from Sept. 26-30, in Hope.

District Secretary Don Fuller said the Sam Andrews Rodeo Company, from Bagwell, Texas, will again be providing the livestock for the rodeo.

This year, Andrews will be brining in new bulls, some of which have yet to be ridden for eight consecutive seconds.

In addition, he said, the bull riding event will be open to the first 60 bull riders to enter, with a purse in the neighborhood of $5,000.

But, what's even more valuable than the money is the points the cowboys earn toward the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nev. The NFR is the Super Bowl of rodeos, and only the top 15 point earners in each event are invited.

"A lot of people are going to want to enter this event," Fuller said. "First place will pay more than $2,000. If somebody rides one of the bulls that hasn't been ridden, they could win the event. The competition will be tough."

Andrews will also be bringing in six bucking horses that were in the NFR last year as well. These horses, Fuller said, were also at last year's SWAR Rodeo.

The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope is helping out with the bull riding, while the overall rodeo will be part of the Dodge Rodeo circuit. This means the rodeo is sanctioned by Dodge and sponsored, in part, by Hope Auto Co.

The rodeo will run from Sept. 28-30.

Entertainment during intermission at the rodeo will be provided by Rudy Burns, one of the best clowns in the business.

Fuller said Burns has been working on a couple of new specials for his act, which could be unveiled at the Hope rodeo. Burns has performed at the SWAR rodeo several times in the past.

Other entertainment will include the "Moonlighters," playing on stage in front of the Coliseum Friday night.

This group, Fuller said, plays in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

The feature group, though, will be "Running On Empty," performing Saturday night inside the Coliseum.

"Running On Empty" has opened for such country performers as John Anderson and Mark Chestnutt. The band, an eight-piece group, plays older country, such as Hank Williams Sr., Bob Wills, along with Hank Jr. and Hank III, with some original material thrown in as well.

Razorback Amusement will again provide the rides for the midway. There will be about 26 rides in all, with at least five spectaculars.

Fuller said one of the changes made this year is for family night. Now it will be from 5-11 p.m. Tuesday, with $7 armbands getting all on the rides.

There will also be an armband day Thursday, Sept. 28, from 2-10 p.m. Armbands will be $11 in advance and $12 at the gate, Fuller said. Those buying armbands in advance will get in the gate free.

Armbands can be purchased at Double M Western Wear, Brookshire's, First National Bank and Harvest Foods.

Along with the rides, there will be some 50 game booths along the midway.

One of the annual highlights of the event, though, comes Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m., with the Fair Queen Contest. The winners of all the county fairs in the district will be competing, with the winner getting a trip to the state fair in Little Rock in Oct.

The fair kicks off with the annual parade Tuesday, Sept. 26, through the streets of downtown Hope. This parade, Fuller said, is one of the biggest in the state as it's about three miles long.

Those planning on entering a float or vehicle in the parade need to contact Eddie Brazzell.

Livestock will be brought in for judging Wednesday, Sept. 27, and be judged Thursday, Sept. 28, while the steer, lamb and goat judging will be done Friday, Sept. 29.Saturday, Sept. 30, will see the rabbits being judged.

A new livestock event this year is the market goat show. Fuller said 100 entries are expected for this contest. These goats are strictly bred for eating, unlike the dairy goat show, where the goats are used for milk as well.

The grand champion market goat won $1,050 at last year's Arkansas State Fair.

Fuller said special judges will be brought in to judge the event.

Also on Friday, the potted plants, silk flower and fresh flower divisions of the horticulture event will be judged for the senior contestants, with the junior activities judged Saturday.

These events, though, must be entered Sept. 24-25, along with food preservation and arts and crafts.