Attendance at the Jefferson County Rodeo in recent years has been so strong organizers plan to add seating for this year’s event.
The 53rd annual rodeo is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro. For both nights, gates will open at 5 p.m., and the rodeo activities events will kick off at 7 p.m. The Hillsboro Community Civic Club sponsors the rodeo.
“In response to the growing attendance over the last few years, we are adding some bleacher seating,” said Doug Goforth, the rodeo chairman. “We had about 15,000 total over both nights last year.”
He said the Jefferson County Rodeo has captured the attention of the national rodeo community.
“Our rodeo was named on the top five IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) outside rodeos last year,” he said. “We have never had that honor before. That’s out of all the outside rodeos in the United States and Canada. We’re in some elite company there.”
In addition to adding seating, rodeo organizers will have shuttle buses to additional parking to the existing parking lot at the fairgrounds facility.
“We’re having three shuttle buses going to Hillsboro school parking lots,” Goforth said.
The event once again will feature a western style rodeo; live music; vendors selling food and merchandise; and a mechanical bull and other activities for kids, including the annual Cutest Cowboy & Cowgirl Contest for youngsters 8 and younger.
“We’ve had an overwhelming response from vendors this year,” Goforth said. “There will be more than double the food vendors from last year, from five to 12. Every one of our individual vendor spaces are reserved. I would say we’ll have in excess of 40 vendors.”
He said the rodeo attracts top competitors with its $18,000 in prize money.
“That helps attract the better riders,” he said. “And, we have good stock – bulls and bucking horses. It’s still a traditional Western rodeo.”
Goforth said attendees also should enjoy the rodeo’s performers.
“We have other kinds of entertainment,” Goforth said. “Kyle Lamon and Tyler Pettigrew are our rodeo clowns. We have Lucas Maynard, who does rope tricks.”
Four musical acts will perform. Bob Steagall will take the stage from 6-9 p.m. Friday, followed by Shannon Cox from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Saturday, Bill Scott will perform from 6-9 p.m., and the Johnathan Braddy Band will play from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Events for kids will be held from 5-7 p.m. both nights.
Admission is free for those 8 and younger. For those 9 to 15, advance tickets will cost $8 and at the gate they will be $10. For those 16 and older, advance tickets are $13 and at the gate $15. The deadline for advance ticket sales is today, June 6.
Advance tickets are available in person at the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, the Leader Publications office in Festus, Enterprise Bank’s Jefferson County locations, Jeffco Feed and Fertilizer in De Soto and Chuck’s Boots in Fenton.
Advance tickets also may be purchased online at jeffersoncountyfair.net.
Goforth said he’s thrilled people have taken so well to the Jefferson County Rodeo.
“The crowds have been good to us,” he said. “We’re trying to improve the services to make their visit more enjoyable.”
For more information, visit the Jefferson County Rodeo Facebook page or go to jeffersoncountyfair.net.