About 16,000 people turned out for the 53rd annual Jefferson County Rodeo held June 7-8 in Hillsboro, organizer Doug Goforth said.
He said that was about 1,000 more attendees than the year before when the event saw a record-setting crowd.
Justin McSorley of Pacific participates in the calf roping competition.
“Attendance was up this year, even over last year,” he said. “I would say we had about 7,500 on (June 7) and 8,500 on (June 8),” said Goforth, the Rodeo chairman. “We used drone photos to help estimate the attendance.”
Goforth said organizers added more seating for this year’s event, but it was still tough finding enough places to seat fans who wanted to watch the rodeo at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
“We’re still trying to address the seating,” he said.
Goforth said organizers have made other changes to try to accommodate the large crowds.
“Even though we more than doubled the number of food vendors (from five to 12), all the vendors had great, great sales,” he said. “We also added shuttle buses to additional parking at Hillsboro schools. The buses were well received.”
Bailey Gibson, 14, of House Springs takes part in the barrel racing event at the 2024 Jefferson County Rodeo.
Video monitors of the rodeo activities at vendor booths helped people standing in line keep up with the action, Goforth added.
“That was well received,” he said.
Goforth said organizers breathed a sigh of relief when threatening weather predicted for June 8 stayed away from Hillsboro.
“We had a few sprinkles, but lightning stayed about 10 miles away,” he said.
The Rodeo also featured a mechanical bull, children’s activities and live music. Performers included Bob Steagall and Shannon Cox on June 7 and Bill Scott and the Johnathan Braddy Band on June 8.
Goforth said Jefferson County Rodeo organizers received an honor from the International Professional Rodeo Association during the weekend’s festivities.
“We received our plaque from the IPRA for being named a top five rodeo,” he said. “That’s out of 500 rodeos.”
The Hillsboro Hawkettes assisted with the 50/50 raffle.
On Monday, Goforth said he did not know how much money the Rodeo brought in but noted that funds from the event benefit the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, which sponsors the Rodeo and holds other community events and supports various local charitable causes.
“(The Civic Club) sponsors a Scout troop, and we do scholarships and donate in other ways, like allowing other groups to use the Fairgrounds,” he said. “We allow other groups to raise money (through vending booths) at the Rodeo. The money flows back into the community.”
Goforth said organizers already are preparing for the 2025 Jefferson County Rodeo, set for June 13-14.
He said Civic Club members are thrilled with the interest shown in the rodeo.
“We’re very satisfied and we’re doing everything we can to accommodate all the crowds to keep it fun and affordable,” Goforth said.