Volunteers have been working for weeks to put the finishing touches on the arena and grandstands at Casey Jones Park in preparation for the Elizabeth Stampede, and with another successful Community Rodeo under its belt, the countdown has begun to the main event.
The Elizabeth Stampede traces its roots back more than a century, and 2016 marks the 29th year it has been recognized as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo Event. The PRCA has also recognized the Stampede as Small Rodeo of the Year three times, in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
This year’s Stampede kicks off Thursday, June 2 with a concert by country music star Tracy Lawrence. Rodeo action, including the popular Xtreme Bulls, begins the evening of Friday, June 3 and runs through the afternoon of Sunday, June 5.
The Friday and Saturday rodeo performances are followed by a dance at 9:30 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $22 for Xtreme Bulls to $8 for Saturday and Sunday matinees. Family packs are also available. Ticket information can be found at elizabethstampede.com/tickets. Casey Jones Park is at 4189 Highway 86, Elizabeth.
Along with a weekend of rodeo action, the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the ElizaBash Street Fair and Carnival.
“This year, we’re really excited,” said Trista Ellis, executive director of the chamber. “We are introducing a carnival for the first time.”
The Street Fair on Main Street in Elizabeth is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The carnival will run for five days from Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5 on Crossroads Circle and will feature a Ferris wheel, along with nearly 20 other rides.
On Main Street, visitors can expect around 100 vendors, along with 15 different food options ranging from hot dogs and pizza to homestyle cooking.
“Our vendor event will be pretty typical. We’ll widen the street for the vendors, and we have the food court on Geason’s lot,” Ellis said.
Also new this year, Snowfall Ranch, based in Elizabeth, will set up a petting zoo.
“Snowfall Ranch has some really neat, mini-animals,” Ellis said. “That’s going to be fun.”
A portion of the proceeds from carnival ticket sales will go to support the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce.
