Get ready, set, go! It’s time to kick summer into gear with the
Elizabeth Stampede. And like years past, the Stampede volunteers
have been working all year to provide an even bigger and better
weekend of rodeos.
The fun begins June 5 at Casey Jones Park off Highway 86 in
Elizabeth with the second annual Professional Bull Riders event.
Last summer was the Stampede’s first time hosting the event, which
is the top bull-riding organization in the world and volunteers are
once again thrilled to be working with the PBR, said Greg Dieker,
Stampede Rodeo board member.
In 2008 the Stampede had 20 of the top 100 PBR riders and,
according to Dieker, the 2009 event will see an even better
turnout.
“We’ll be bringing in 50 bulls from five different stock
contractors for the event,” he said. “This will give the Stampede a
real variety of bulls for fans and the contestants.”
After the evening rodeos June 5-6, at 9:30 p.m. people can stick
around CJ Park and listen and dance to the sounds of country music
from the Jones & Rain Band out of Douglas County.
As Saturday rolls around, the fun continues with the parade at
10 a.m. through Elizabeth directly followed by the Elizabash. This
is the second year for the downtown event on Main Street which will
be blocked off from traffic until 3 p.m. Those who attend can enjoy
food, refreshments, live music, vendors, a petting zoo, several
inflatables, games and entertainment.
As Elizabash winds down the afternoon, the Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association will be winding up at 2 p.m. at CJ Park
followed by the evening PRCA rodeo at 7 p.m. As the Stampede’s 22nd
annual PRCA rodeo, fans will not be disappointed as the Stampede
will be providing a minimum of 15 contestants from last year’s
National Finals Rodeo, Dieker said.
“The Stampede has been named the ‘Small Market Rodeo of The
Year’ eight times in the last 10 years by the Mountain States
Circuit of the PRCA,” he said. “That says a lot about the quality
of our rodeo, how we treat the cowboys and cowgirls and the quality
of our stock contractor.”
During the evening rodeo the Stampede will be participating in
the fourth annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink fight against breast
cancer. Along with the PRCA rodeo, Stampede volunteers are working
to raise funds to support two area breast cancer charities: Renee’s
Friends Fund, which provides financial assistance to women burdened
by childcare, gasoline and other expenses because of treatments and
Lancaster’s Barrel Race for the Cure, which assists rodeo families
affected by breast cancer.
Fundraising activities are scheduled throughout the entire
weekend including a silent auction that will run the three days of
the Stampede, a tent at the rodeo grounds selling all things
Western and pink as well as a portion of the ticket proceeds from
Saturday night’s rodeo going towards the charities.
And those people who are tough enough to wear pink are
encouraged to wear pink during the evening rodeo.
“… To see all the people wearing pink and coming together to
help another person, well it's just an amazing night,” said Joanne
Hoefer, Elizabeth Stampede volunteer.
The final PRCA rodeo begins at 2 p.m. June 7 and is an special
rodeo dedicated to the men and women who have served in the United
States armed forces in the past, as well as the present and the
future. The third annual Red, White and Blue Rodeo continues to be
a success and the volunteers of the Stampede and Elizabeth
community members believe this rodeo is important and necessary to
recognize those men and women, Dieker said.
A World War II veteran, a Vietnam veteran and two Iraq veterans
will be honored during the rodeo along with two former Elizabeth
Navy veterans.
“We are giving two empty saddle presentations, one for Jim R.
White and one for Leroy Bird,” Dieker said. “These men have served
their country and they deserve the honor.”
Half-price tickets are available for the Red, White and Blue
Rodeo to all military personnel with military ID.
For ticket prices, event schedule and more information on the
Elizabeth Stampede, visit www.elizabethstampede.org.
The Elizabeth Stampede, June 5-6, ticket prices:
June 5 PBR event
Adult-$22
Children 6 to 12-$16
June 6 PRCA afternoon rodeo
Adult-$12
Children 6 to 12-$8,
Family package, two adults and two children $35
June 6 PRCA evening rodeo
Adult-$22
Children 6 to 12-$16
June 7 PRCA rodeo
Adult $12
Children 6 to 12-$8
Family package, two adults and two children $35
