ROCK SPRINGS – The numbers for the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo continued to climb this year. As the Sweetwater Events Complex prepares to start negotiations with several of the big events, the board discussed bringing county officials, both cities and other local officials together to discuss these events and their importance to the area.
At the Sweetwater Events Complex board meeting, Marketing and Events Manager Kandi Pendleton reported the numbers were up slightly over 2013. She said each year, they have seen increases.
This year, the complex added a band to the mix as Nowhere Fast played Friday and Saturday night. Pendleton said they also had awards ceremonies on both Friday and Saturday nights and with this combination many people remained at the complex after the rodeo. Pendleton said she believed both were a good addition to this year’s event.
The contract with the Mountain States Rodeo is up and the complex has been in contact with the Mountain States Board. Pendleton said they are planning on meeting with them again to discuss the contract.
Board Chairman Kent McCann said the Mountain State Rodeo is a great show and felt it runs better each year they have hosted the event. Board member Paul Zancanella echoed McCann.
“It’s a very good event and some of the best rodeo you can see,” he said. “I hope we can expand on it.”
Complex Director Larry Lloyd agreed with the boards comments. He said the Mountain States Circuit Rodeo really gives fans an up close and personal look at rodeo.
“There are not a lot of rodeos left that let you get that close,” Lloyd said.
Meeting to discuss future events
For several months, Lloyd has spoke about getting all the major players in a room to discuss the importance of continuing big events such as the National High School Finals Rodeo. Participants would include the Sweetwater County Commissioners, Rock Springs and Green River officials, as well as both Chambers and the Joint Travel and Tourism Board.
Lloyd said it is important to get everyone on the same page on how important these events are to the area. Board member Rob Zotti said this subject came up at their recent Rock Spring City Council retreat and the city is in agreement about the importance of these events and what they bring to the area.
The complex is set to meet with the National High School Finals Rodeo Board in January to discuss renewing the contract. The NHSFR is not the only focus of the complex. Lloyd said they are also working to bring the National Junior High Finals Rodeo and recently the complex has been contacted by the National Little Britches Rodeo.
The Little Britches Rodeo brings in about 900 to 1,000 contestants who range in age from 8-years-old to 18-years-old. The rodeo has been in Colorado but this is the last year on the current contract and the rodeo is looking for other spots. Lloyd said they are looking for a possible permanent location.
The complex has had preliminary conversations and are scheduled to sit down with the Little Britches Rodeo organizers in December.
The board asked how they would schedule it in with all the other events. Lloyd said the rodeo is scheduled before the Jr High Rodeo and the NHSFR because many of the competitors also compete in the other rodeos. It would take place at the end of June.
Zotti was concerned about staff noting they will be going from one event to another.
“You guys will be pushing hard for three months straight,” Zotti said.
Larry said they have a tremendous group of people working at the complex and would evaluate the best way to balance the workload. Lloyd also added this would be a topic which they would discuss at the upcoming meeting.
The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6 at noon at the complex. Commissioner John Kolb felt it was important to have the meeting after the election. He said by then there will be a new mayor in Green River and it is an opportunity to open talks with Green River again.
