The 54th annual Jefferson County Rodeo will have a little something fun for everyone.
In addition to the professional rodeo, the event will include live music, contests and concessions.
It will be held Friday and Saturday, June 13-14, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 10349 Business 21 in Hillsboro. Both nights the gates will open at 5 p.m., with the rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for children 6 and younger and $5 in advance and at the gate for children 7-15. Tickets for those 16 and older are $18 in advance and $20 at the gate.
Rodeo chairman Doug Goforth said the Rodeo continues to grow, offering more vendors as well as more seating.
He said more than 70 vendors will take part in this year’s event. Last year the event had in excess of 40 vendors.
The winner of the rodeo will compete for points to qualify for entry into the International Finals Rodeo. Like last year, the winner will also receive an $18,000 cash prize.
“(The prize) is pretty large, so that makes us one of the top money rodeos. And realistically, these cowboys are competing for points and money,” Goforth said. “It’s half a million dollars at the International Finals Rodeo, which is in Oklahoma.”
Goforth said this year’s Rodeo will benefit from improvements at the Fairgrounds, which the Hillsboro Community Civic Club manages and maintains.
“We typically have been seeing around 8,000 to 9,000 people per night (at the Rodeo), which has prompted us to increase our permanent seating options,” Goforth said.
In response to the demand, the Hillsboro Community Civic Club has added two large bleacher sections this year to help accommodate the crowd. The civic club has also paved some of the walkways on the Fairgrounds.
“A lot of our walking surfaces are now paved on the Fairgrounds, which used to be gravel walkways,” Goforth said. “If you’ve had trouble walking around the grounds before, it is a bit easier to navigate it.”
This year the Rodeo will offer a new way for fans to watch the event via a pay-per-view livestream on the website Livestreamstl.tv.
“Last year (we) started with doing closed circuit TV-type coverage on the grounds,” Goforth said.
But this year organizers decided to livestream the event due to the large number of attendees at the events.
Four musical acts will perform at this year’s Rodeo, playing a mix of acoustic, country and rock music.
On June 13, the 90 Proof Acoustics group will play from 6-9 p.m. The Broseph Tucker Band will follow from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., performing an electric blend of country and rock.
From 5-9 p.m. June 14, Scottie Kemp, a singer/songwriter, will play a variety of country, classic rock and blues. The Johnathan Braddy Band will close out the fair, performing contemporary country from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Other Saturday festivities will include ‘Events for Kids’ from 5-7 p.m. Then, at 6 p.m., the Cutest Cowboy and Cowgirl contest will be held. Children 8 and younger may compete, and each winner will receive a silver belt buckle.
In addition to the kids’ contest, a Fan of the Night contest will be held both nights, with one attendee per night winning a silver belt buckle.
Attendees may also participate in a photo contest after the annual event ends by submitting up to two photos taken at the Rodeo. Two winners will be picked and will receive a cowhide rug.
Goforth said the Rodeo is a great earning opportunity for the Hillsboro community and its organizations.
“Last year (the civic center) probably gave out well over $100,000 in cash and in-kind donations, so we have a sizeable impact (primarily in) the Hillsboro community, but it does (benefit) other parts of the county as well,” he said.
Not only does this event benefit the community fiscally, but also it provides a way for people to experience a variety of entertainment close to home.
“It’s a pretty economical alternative to other entertainment,” Goforth said. “It gives a wide variety of experiences, entertainment and education; our Rodeo is one of the larger rodeos in the country.”
For more information, visit the Jefferson County Rodeo Facebook page or visit jeffersoncountyfair.net.