Mostly nice weather over the weekend contributed to what may have been the largest crowd in the Jefferson County Rodeo’s 51-year history, said chairman Doug Goforth of the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, which sponsors the event.
“Friday night, we had around 4,500. We had more than 7,000 for Saturday night,” Goforth said. “By far, it’s the largest attendance since we have been sponsoring it. We’ve operated the rodeo for about 20 years, and these were the best crowds we’ve had. It might be the most ever.”
The event was held June 10-11 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, and the rodeo, staged by Wooten Rodeo Co., included barrel racing, calf roping and steer wrestling. The Ozark Renegades, a specialty act of riders, also performed.
In addition, the event included activities for children and live music. Shannon Cox and the Black Diamond Band performed June 10, and the Jonathan Braddy Band played June 11.
Paisley Girtman, 6 months, of Imperial won the Cutest Cowgirl contest, and Waylon Millerbaugh, 8, of Arnold won the Cutest Cowboy contest.
Goforth said while the event was a hit, the rodeo could have used more competitors.
“We did not see as many competitors from outside the Midwest,” he said. “We usually get competitors from as far away as Canada. This year, they were all mostly from in-state or within a couple of states. We would attribute it to gas prices.”
Goforth said that more than 100 volunteers put in “hundreds of hours” to plan and put on the event.
“We could not exist without our member volunteers, as well as our sponsors,” he said.
Goforth said that planning for the 2023 Jefferson County Rodeo already has started.
“We’re just looking forward to doing it again next year,” he said. “We always plan for the second weekend in June.”