Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Lil' Britches Rodeo Held With Festival

If you're looking for fun Saturday, June 2, then head to the Nevada County Fairgrounds around 6 p.m.

Why? For the Lil' Britches Rodeo, of course.

The rodeo is presented by the Prescott FFA Alumni, and there will be several events to keep everyone glued to at least part of their seats.

To start will be the calf flag race. There will be two divisions in this event, for those six and under and those 7-12.

Then comes the boys calf tying, always an interesting event, also with two divisions. One group will be for those 14 and under, with the other being for cowboys 15-18.

It will be interesting to watch the boys calf riding event, as the 8-10-year-old contestants do their best to stay on their mounts.

Next up is barrel racing, always an exciting event as the contestants race around the arena working to avoid the barrels. This will also be divided into two groups, for those 13 and under and 14-18.

One of the more difficult events is the barrel pickup, as riders gallop by and try to get a rider on behind them. This will be for cowboys 18 and under.

The chute dogging event requires the most physical strength as the wranglers bull their animals to the ground. This will be for contestants 18 and under as well.

What has proven to be one of the more fun events, though with considerable risk, is the hide slide. Staying on a hide while being dragged by a horse and rider is anything but easy. It, too, will be for those 18 and under.

There will be a limit of 30 contestants for the mutton busting contest, and all entrants must be seven or younger.

Also on the list, and fun to watch, is the girls goat tying contest. There will be two groups, 13 and under and 14-18, involved in trying to put a ribbon on an uncooperative goat.

For the older wranglers will be steer riding, much like the calf riding event. This will be for contestants 11-14 and 15-18.

The final two events on the list are also the most hilarious, as they pit youngsters six and under against a greased pig and a chicken.

Everyone knows what a greased pig contest is, and how hard it is to catch one of the critters. They also know how funny it is to watch.

Then there's the chicken scramble, with the children literally chasing a chicken who would rather be anywhere else.

All around buckles will be given to the high point winners in both boys and girls competition.

Registration will be June 2 at the Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Parents must enter their child, pay the entry fee and sign a release at the time registration is done.

With the exception of the flag race, with a $2 entry fee, along with the greased pig chase and chicken scramble (which are free) all entry fees are $10.

Admission for the rodeo will be $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.