Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

SWAR Fair, Rodeo starts Sept. 27

Armband Day for the 60th Annual Southwest Arkansas Livestock Show and Rodeo will be Thursday, Sept. 30 from 2-10 p.m.

For one price those with armbands can ride all the rides at Hope's Fair Park for eight solid hours. The armbands, according to District Secretary Don Fuller, can be purchased in advance from Double M Western Wear, First National Bank of Hope, Super 1 Foods and Harvest Foods.

Once again the Andrews Rodeo Co., out of Bagwell, Texas, will be bringing in some of the top rodeo livestock in the nation. Last year, Fuller said, 19 of the horses and bulls at the SWAR event went to the National Finals Rodeo  the Super Bowl of rodeos.

Some of the bulls being brought to this year's rodeo have yet to be ridden for eight seconds. This should attract some of the top bull riders in the nation, as they vie for points toward going to the NFR themselves.

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

First National Bank is sponsoring the rodeo clown. Fuller said this will be a new one with an entirely different bag of tricks for the fans.

The rodeo will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1-2.

Razorback Amusements will furnish the rides and games for the midway. Fuller said there will be four or five state fair caliber spectacular rides, along with 24-26 rides overall. There will also be about 50 games along the midway.

The parade will be Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m., following the traditional route. All horses being entered in the parade must have papers and proof of negative coggins. Otherwise, Fuller said, they will be ejected and there will be no exceptions made.

This year will be a special year for whoever is named as having the grand champion market steer and grand champion market goat. These winners will be presented special belt buckles valued at $300. These buckles were specially ordered by Southwest Arkansas Equipment and are exclusive to John Deere.

In addition, SWAR Equipment (John Deere) is offering a scholarship to a senior who is in either the Future Farmers of America or the 4-H Club. Anyone interested in trying to earn this scholarship must show an animal in either a county, district or the state fair.

Fuller said the scholarship is available to one senior in the Southwest District, which is composed of 15 counties. Only one application per county will be allowed. To apply, call Fuller at 870-777-5111 or 870-777-8192. The scholarship will be awarded in January 2005.

On Thursday and Thursday only, Fuller said, there will be specially priced tickets for the rodeo, but only if they are purchased in advance. These tickets will be $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12, while children 5 and under get in free. However, these prices are only good if the ticket was purchased in advance, and they are only good for Thursday's rodeo.

And, anyone buying rodeo tickets in advance can get in either the front or back gate for $1 with their ticket stub.