In On The Act

Rodeo’s youngest buckaroos cowboy up

Bawling bulls, nickering horses and even bleats from sheep join rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus in the cacophony of sounds at the Rodeo of the Ozarks each year. This year, other livestock join the chorus.

The 70th annual Rodeo of the Ozarks starts Wednesday and runs through July 5 at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. The rodeo is consistently ranked in the top five outdoor rodeos by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

FYI

Rodeo of the Ozarks

WHEN — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through July 5

WHERE — Parsons Stadium, 1423 E. Emma Ave. in Springdale

COST — $13-$35; $7 for children ages 2 to 12

INFO — 877-927-6336

FYI

Rodeo of the Ozarks

Extra

Rodeo Parades

WHEN — 3 p.m. Wednesday & 10 a.m. July 5

WHERE — Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale, traveling west from Parsons Stadium

COST — Free

Rodeo Slack

WHAT — Advance competition of timed events

WHEN — 5 p.m. July 1

WHERE — Parsons Stadium

COST — Free

Western Days

Pancake Breakfast

WHEN — 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE — Rodeo grounds

COST — $5

BONUS — Benedits FFA and agriculture programs at Har-Ber and Springdale high schools

Street Dance

WHEN — 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE — Shiloh Square on Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale

COST — Free

INFO — rodeooftheozarks.org

Rodeo fans will see top PRCA riders trying to hang on to the best bulls and broncs in the business. Stace Smith, who brings his bucking stock to Springdale, has been chosen stock contractor of the year for the last 10 years running. Others associated with the Springdale event have earned their own honors in the PRCA, including bull fighters Travis Adams and Clay Collins and clowns Cody Sosebee and Lecile Harris (who returns to Springdale after a brief hiatus). And trick roper Rider Kiesner joins this year's action-packed show.

But young rodeo fans want more.

Through focus groups, rodeo organizers heard children were disappointed in the rodeo because they didn't get to pet animals, says Rick Culver, executive director of the rodeo. Northwest Arkansas is no longer a rural community, and most children don't have the chance to interact with livestock, he says.

"So, for the first time in 70 years, the rodeo is going to have a petting zoo," says Sach Oliver, a member of the rodeo's Board of Directors.

Farmland Adventures brings a free petting zoo -- with goats, sheep, a calf and maybe pigs -- to the rodeo each night. Children will have the opportunity to lay their hands on something many understand only through books and television.

"I hope and pray the rodeo always concentrates on our children," says Tex Holt, the rodeo director in charge of the children's events. "Let them be part of our cowboy and cowgirl Western way. They can ride a sheep, do a goat dressing or win a calf scramble."

Rodeo organizers work to make that happen. Each day before the rodeo, the children's events begin at 6:30 p.m. on the arena floor: Mutton Bustin' (for children ages 4 to 6), goat dressing (for children ages 7 to 9) and a calf scramble (for children ages 10 to 12). Safety always is a priority, so each child will be issued a helmet; one adult is allowed in the arena with each child.

"You look at their eyeballs getting bigger as we get out there," Holt describes the Mutton Busters with obvious delight. "And that sheep keeps getting bigger. It's grown into a 2,000-pound bull. To some it's scary." But he promises the dirt and sand on the floor make for an easy landing, and a trophy for each rider surely will soften the blow.

"We'll file them out there, and each night, bring back the top four of them little boogers to ride in the main rodeo," Holt says, pouring on the Western charm.

He explains the goat dressing as teams of three pulling a goat from the bucking chutes and across a line in the dirt. Then they have to put a pair of boxer shorts on the goat and return it to the chutes.

"But they've got to keep that underwear on that little goat," he says, to win a portion of $100.

The calf scramble also holds the chance for $100. "We're going to turn out calves -- a few with red tags on their tails," Holt says. "And they've got to get that sucker!"

Parents can register children for these events by calling the rodeo office at the number listed here.

NAN What's Up on 06/27/2014

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