The Jefferson County Rodeo promises some new acts to go along with its traditional riding competitions, event chairman Doug Goforth said.
The rodeo, an International Professional Rodeo Association competition, is set for Friday and Saturday (June 9-10) at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, Hillsboro. Gates open at 5 p.m. each night with the rodeo getting underway at 7 p.m.
“We’ve got a new band joining us – Phil Vandel of St. Joseph,” Goforth said. “He plays a variety of country music and has put out some recordings. It’s our first time to have him and he’ll be coming back to play the Saturday night of the Jefferson County Fair (coming July 20-23 to the fairgrounds).”
Vandel performs both nights at the rodeo at the RWZ Pavilion.
Also new will be Jerry Thornton and Bojangles to perform each night in between competitions.
“Bojangles is a horse that was rescued after Hurricane Katrina,” Goforth said. “Thornton is a horse trainer and the horse does various tricks. It’s an interesting story. They found the horse standing on a stump surrounded by water and with fencing around his legs and chickens on his back. He’ll perform roughly midway through the show.”
Josh “Pork Chop” Garrett is another new act coming to entertain at the Jefferson County Rodeo, Goforth said.
“He’s our rodeo clown,” he said. “He should bring us a good show.”
While the 2017 version of the rodeo offers new wrinkles, the focus remains on the riders who face the challenges of hanging on to wild, uncontrollable beasts, Goforth said. The Wooten Rodeo Co. of Glen Allen again will stage the rodeo.
“We’ve got our traditional bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing,” he said. “It’s very high-energy excitement. It’s a little of our Western history. It just brings a lot of excitement.”
Side activities will include pony rides for kids and a variety of vendors.
Goforth said weather forecasts in recent years have affected attendance, and then the bad weather didn’t really materialize. He said he’d like to see attendance improve this year.
“A good, full crowd for us is 5,000 people,” he said. “The rodeo goes on rain or shine. Don’t let weather forecasts keep you way.”
Tickets may be purchased in advance for $8 for adults and $5 for children. At the gate, the charge will be $10 for adults and $7 for children. Children 5 years old and younger get in for free.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Leader office in Festus, 503 N. Second St.; Chuck’s Boots in Fenton; Champion’s Mercantile in Festus and De Soto; all branches of Eagle Bank and Trust; Windy Hill Farm Supply in Cedar Hill; and the Hillsboro Civic Center Office or online at jeffersoncountyfair.net via PayPal.