Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

SWAR Fair, rodeo now underway

Get ready for some of the best rodeo action this side of the National Finals Rodeo.

For the 58th year, the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo will be held in Hope's Fair Park, and will feature some of the rankest livestock and best wranglers to ever set foot in an arena.

Don Fuller, district secretary, said the Sam Andrews Rodeo Co., of Bagwell, Texas, will be bringing in horses and bulls it had in the NFR last year.

These critters don't go to the NFR because they have a sweet disposition. They are selected based on how hard it is for cowboys to stay on them, and Andrews typically has some of the best livestock in the country.

With the best livestock comes the top wranglers. The Third District Rodeo traditionally draws cowboys ranked in the top 15 nationally for rodeos.

"We expect between 150-200 cowboys," Fuller said.

However, only 60 will be allowed to enter the bull riding contest. This event is sponsored by Brazzel Funeral Homes and has $5,000 added prize money. Along with the money, the cowboys will be trying to earn points to get them to the NFR as well.

Now, this year's rodeo will feature a new contest, and not one for the cowboys. Fuller said people who attend the rodeo will be put in a drawing where they can earn a chance to win a new Dodge pickup.

Three contestants will be picked on Thursday and Friday night, with four selected Saturday evening. The contestants will roll "dice" in an attempt to spell D-O-D-G-E. Anyone who does drives home in a new truck.

There will be other surprises at the rodeo as well, Fuller said.

Gizmo McCracken will be the rodeo clown this year. Gizmo's act is billed as wholesome, Christian, family fun.

Gizmo comes from Wheaton, Missouri, and has been working rodeos for 24 years, starting as a cowboy, but turning to the comedy end.

He said he tailors his act to the audience, feeding off their energy.

The festivities kicked off with the Third District Fair Parade, one of the biggest in the state of Arkansas. This year's parade can be seen on KTSS, as it was filmed and shown later.

Razorback Amusements will be bringing six "spectacular" rides to the fair this year, as part of the company's 28 total rides.

Some of the rides, Fuller said, include the Tornado, the Zipper and Sea Dragon.

The younger set will be able to choose between 12-14 rides as well.

According to Fuller, several of these rides will be brought from Texarkana where the Four States Fair was held. Before they can be operated at the Third District Fair, he added, they will be inspected by a licensed state inspector to make sure they're safe.

Thursday will be armband night at the fair. Armbands can be bought for $12 in advance or $14 at the gate. However, those who buy their armbands in advance also get in the gate free.

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

There will also be plenty of free entertainment outside the Coliseum.

Friday night will feature the Mariachi Mexico Band, in full, traditional Mexican costume. This group of seven performers will do two shows, starting at 6:30, with the second show at 9:30. This event is sponsored by Amigo Juan's Restaurant.

Saturday night the tunes will turn from south of the border to serious boogie-woogie as Claudia Nygaard and Jimmy Maddox take center stage.

Nygaard performs country songs with Maddox. But, when Maddox starts tickling the ivories on his own, the rhythm is pure boogie-woogie.

The two have a record out together, and travel with one another performing across the nation.

Those looking for games of skill and chance haven't been forgotten, as there will be 40-50 concessions along the midway, along with about 10 food joints.

Space could be the final frontier for events such as horticulture, arts and crafts and flowers.

Fuller said these events were overfull last year and could be again this year.

There were 325 entries in the flower division in 2001, which included potted plants, silk flowers and fresh cut flowers.

There will be junior and senior divisions in this event.

The 58th Annual Third District Livestock Show and Rodeo will run Sept. 23-28.