NWA editorial: Back in the saddle

One of the region's longest-running traditions is back in the saddle for another ride in 2015.

The Rodeo of the Ozarks has been around more than seven decades, connecting Northwest Arkansas' increasingly urban population with some of its more rural roots. The event started Wednesday and continues nightly through Saturday evening.

Folks who don't typically go to a rodeo might want to consider getting a taste of the one at Parsons Arena. It ranks among the top five large outdoor rodeos in the country for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. As one professional cowboy put it, "Springdale is a feather in your hat" when it comes to building a reputation on the rodeo circuit.

It's a feather in Springdale's cap, too. Independence Day in Springdale just wouldn't be the same without the annual Rodeo of the Ozarks. The nightly audience is drawn to the congenial atmosphere where entrants are competing against each other and against animals that will challenge their skills.

As we approach a celebration of the nation's birth, a visit to the Rodeo of the Ozarks is, well, just downright American. It's a taste of western culture smack in the middle of Northwest Arkansas. If you've got the time, it's worth taking in.

Commentary on 07/02/2015

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