Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rodeos start, end county fair

What does a little britches rodeo, an old timers rodeo and Bull Bash 2001 have in common?

They are all part of the 65th Annual Nevada County Fair this year.

The fair runs Sept. 8-15, with these three rodeos getting things started and finished.

Before the fair gets underway, the little britches rodeo starts. It has been scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, at the fairgrounds arena.

This rodeo is always fun for the participants and spectators.

It starts with a calf flag race, with two divisions. The first is for those age six and under, with the second group being for wranglers seven to 12.

This will be followed by the calf riding competition, also with two divisions. Division one will be for cowboys 14 and under, with the second for those 15-18.

There will also be two groups of barrel racers. One for riders 13 and younger, with the other for those 14-18.

For the braver souls there is the barrel pickup event. This is for contestants 18 and younger. Padding is recommended for those to be picked up.

Speaking of padding being needed, it is almost a requirement for the horse slide contest. Again, this is for wranglers 18 and younger. What the horse slide so much fun is watching the person on the "slide" hang on for dear life as their partner races around the arena on horseback.

This will be followed by a mutton bustin event for children seven and younger. It will be limited to 30 participants.

There will be two groups involved in the girls goat tying event. One will feature young ladies 13 and under, with the other for those 14-18.

Steer riding is an annual favorite, and will again have two divisions. One for riders 11-14, and the other for riders 15-18.

What has to be one of the most entertaining events anywhere is the greased pig chase. This competition of for speedy youngsters age six and below who don't mind getting dirty.

The final event of the evening will be a chicken scramble for children six and younger. This, too, should be interesting, watching these youngsters chase a chicken around the arena.

There will be "All Around" belt buckles presented to the top pointer winners in the boys and girls events.

Registration will be held at the fairground Saturday, Sept. 8, from 2-5 p.m.

Parents must pay the entry fee at this time and sign a release. The entry fee will be $10 for all events except the flag race, which is $2.

There is no entry fee for the greased pig chase or the chicken scramble.

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, we go from youngsters to old timers, as the "senior" circuit takes center stage.

The Old Timers Rodeo will consist of a series of team events. This rodeo is limited to the 10 teams, and will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. The entry fee is $100 per team.

This year, the wild cow milking contest has been replaced with a horseback flag race.

The idea of this event is for the cowboy to grab a flag from a steer. This can either be done while the rider is astride his horse, or by roping the steer and taking the flag.

However, if a rope is used, it must be removed with the contestant getting back on their mount before the clock will stop.

Other events include steer branding, which is self-explanatory, chute dogging and team roping.

What could prove to be one of the more interesting events is the pasture loading contest.

In this competition, the team must get a steer into a cattle trailer, then put their horses in. This is a timed event, so the teams have to be both fast and efficient.

The rodeo winds up with a wild mule roundup.

Those wanting to enter a team need to call (870) 887-2473 between 8-10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9.

The final rodeo-style event will wrap things up at the fair. This will be Bull Bash 2001, where the only event is bull riding, one of the toughest and most dangerous of all competitions.

Those involved will be trying to win the $1,000 added bonus money being put up by Western Auto, Ratcliff Fertilizer and the Nevada County Branch Bank of Delight.

Livestock for the Bull Bash is being provided by Crenshaw, Inc., and Diamond J Arena.

During intermissions of the bull riding, there will be mutton bustin' contests. These will be limited to the first 20 entrants who put up a $5 entry fee. It's also for children seven and younger.

Anyone wanting to be involved in the Bull Bash should call (870) 379-2297, or 379-2015 between 4-10 p.m.

The entry fee for the Bull Bash is $65 per rider.

All three rodeos are being sponsored by the FFA Alumni Association.