Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

District livestock show and rodeo around the corner

There will be something for everyone at the 60th Annual Southwest Arkansas District Livestock Show and Rodeo in Hope.

The event is scheduled for September 27 through October 3.

Once again the Andrews Rodeo Co. of Bagwell, Texas, will be bringing in some of the nastiest livestock a cowboy ever sat on for the rodeo. According to Don Fuller, district secretary, 19 of the bulls and horses Andrews brought to Hope last year were in the 2003 National Final Rodeo (the Super Bowl of rodeo in America).

Fuller said this Dodge Rodeo will attract some of the top hands in the country as the points go toward their NFR standings. And, he added, some of the bulls being brought to Hope have never been ridden, which will add to the excitement for rodeo fans.

Fikes Truck Line is sponsoring the bull ride and adding money to the pot. Overall, Fuller said, there will be $5,000-$6,000 the bullriders will be competing for.

And, there will be plenty of musical entertainment as well. Friday night will feature the country band Nighthawk, while Saturday's featured band will perform Northern Mexican music  which, according to Fuller, is a Mexican country-waltz style. The Mexican band is sponsored by Amigo Juan's.

Razorback Amusements will again be furnishing the rides and midway attractions, with four to six state fair quality rides, known as spectaculars, and between 24-26 rides overall.

There will be 40-50 games along the midway and plenty of food booths for those who get hungry.

The parade will be held Tuesday, Sept. 28, following its traditional route through Hope. This is one of the largest fair parades in the state of Arkansas, and has been traditionally.

Those wanting to be in the parade need to contact Brazzel-Oakcrest in Hope. All horses entered must have their health papers and negative coggins test or they will not be allowed to participate.

Dana Fincher is in charge of the queen pageants, Fuller said, and 15 contestants are expected to participate in the queen's competition. This means there will be an entry from each of the county's in the district (which is made up of 15 counties).

There will be a special treat for the winners of the grand champion steer and grand champion market goat, as Southwest Arkansas Equipment will be presenting them with specially designed belt buckles worth more than $300. Other buckles will be awarded to market and grand champions in other divisions.

In addition, SWAR Equipment (John Deere) is offering a scholarship to a senior participant who is in either the Future Farmers of America or the 4-H Club.

Anyone interested in applying for the scholarship should contact Fuller at 870-777-5111 or 870-777-8192 for more information. This, Fuller said, is an earned scholarship, not one based on need.

The applicant must participate in the county, district or state fair to be eligible, and only one applicant from each county in the district will be accepted.

Armband night will be Thursday from 2-10 p.m., and those who purchase armbands can ride all the rides they can stand free during these eight hours.

Armbands can be purchased in advance at Double M Western Wear, Super 1 Foods, Harvest Foods and First National Bank of Hope.

And, Fuller said, Thursday only, and only on Thursday, there will be special priced tickets if purchased in advance for the rodeo. These tickets will be $5 for adults, $3 for children 5-12 (children five and under get in free), but only if bought in advance, and the tickets are only good on Thursday.

Additionally, he said, anyone buying rodeo tickets in advance can get in the gate with their ticket stub for only $1.