ROCK SPRINGS – Haven’t got your fill of rodeo from the National High School Finals? Well you’re in luck as the Red Desert Roundup kicks off Thursday night.
The 2014 Red Desert Roundup Rodeo is  celebrating 37 years of rodeo. Red Desert Roundup started in 1977 with a team of businessmen from Sweetwater County wanting to add to the life of the county. Now, years later, the roundup committee offers the best in rodeo action. From the best stock to the world’s best cowboys, the Red Desert Roundup has it all. Professional rodeo encompasses an element of danger, extraordinary skill and the cowboys who ride are some of the most rugged athletes in sports today.
The 2014 Red Desert Roundup Rodeo takes place July 24-26 at the Sweetwater County Events Complex Outdoor Arena. This rodeo tradition in Rock Springs and Sweetwater County has been a fan favorite and also marks the start of a busy week of the Wyoming Big Show.
Gates open at 6 p.m. with the pre-show starting at 7 p.m. The Rodeo gets going at 8 p.m. Residents can buy tickets at the Rock Springs and Green River Chambers as well as at the gate. For ages 12 and up, tickets are $16. For ages 5 to 12, tickets are $8 and ages 4 and under get in free.
The Red Desert Roundup starts on Thursday with the Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. Everyone is asked to wear pink to support breast cancer research. On Friday, Wrangler Patriot Night takes place. Those planning on attending are asked to wear red, white and blue to support military personnel and their families.
Special events
Along with the rodeo, there are several fan favorite events which will be returning. Mutton Bustin and the Kid’s Calf Scramble will take place every night at the rodeo.
On Friday night there will be a Teen Cash Scramble. The first 50 ticketed teenagers, ages 13-17, in the gate qualify for a chance to compete for $500 along with many other prizes. See Tough Enough to Wear Pink booth to register.
On Saturday night, there will be an Adult Cash Scramble. It is the same concept as the teen scramble with the first 50 ticketed adults, 18 and up) in the gates qualify for a chance to compete for $1,000 along with many other prizes. Competitors are also asked to see the Tough Enough to Wear Pink booth to register.
Parade
All the fun builds up to Saturday, starting with the parade. The parade will begin promptly at 10 A.M. Staging area begins at B and Broadway; South on B Street to Cedar Street and South on C Street to the County Court House.
The parade route will begin at B and Broadway, heading east on Broadway, under the underpass, continuing on M Street, left on Pilot Butte to K Street; K St. to North Front to Elk; left on Grant to the A Street Overpass.
A look inside
The Red Desert Roundup Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event and attracts some of the top riders in bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling, barrel racing and roping events to the Sweetwater Events Complex. Many of those competing have just been down the road at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The PRCA is the world’s largest and oldest governing body of professional rodeo. It is the place cowboys come to compete after they have paid their dues in regional competition and have honed their skills to the level of a professional athlete. Unlike other professional sports, rodeo requires the contestants to pay to compete. They do not get paid to warm the bench. Every rodeo requires an entry fee and the cowboy gets paid only if he performs well enough to win. Only those cowboys who are capable of competing with the “big boys” can afford to participate in the PRCA for any length of time. Only about 750 rodeos in the country are PRCA sanctioned.
The 2013 Red Desert Roundup rocked the Sweetwater County Events Complex. Some big names in professional rodeo showed up to compete, working toward the all-important goal of an invitation to the PRCA’s most prestigious event, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The cowboys and animals are the obvious stars of rodeo, but they wouldn’t shine without a large supporting cast, including stock contractors, specialty acts, pick up men, bullfighters and announcers. The people in these professions are held to exacting standards in order to be part of a PRCA rodeo. Rodeo announcers inform and entertain the audience and provide constant commentary, score and lend atmosphere to the event. During the past several years announcer Chad Nicholson has become an asset to the overall appeal of the PRCA Pro Rodeo. Because of his talent he was selected to announce in the 2002 Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo.
Powder River Rodeo Productions, owned and operated by Hank and Lori Franzen of Riverton, WY will produce the roundup for the sixteenth year in 2014.. They have won more than 75 top stock awards and have an outstanding reputation among professional cowboys. Their stock is one of the reasons the rodeo continues to draw top contestants.
