81st Annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo Opens Four-Day Run Wednesday
Rodeo Entertainment
Barrelman and rodeo clown Jerry "The Sarge" Casey will delight audiences with his fun-filled family entertainment every night during the 81st annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo.
Rodeo Specialty Act
Twelve-time PRCA "Specialty Act of the Year," The One Arm Bandit & Company, starring Amanda Payne, daughter of John Payne, will dazzle the audience nightly during the rodeo.
Vinita will welcome some of the top Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) cowboys and cowgirls in the country this week as the 81st annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo opens its four-day run on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Sponsored by the American Legion Dale Peace Post 40, the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo is one of the premier rodeo events in the Southwest. For 81 years, the rodeo has thrilled audiences and this year’s event promises even more exciting, action-packed events, as well as specialty performances, rodeo clown, bull fighters and a Rodeo Royalty Pageant Contest.
Following the rodeo parade through downtown Vinita and the All Settler’s Day Reunion, the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo kicks off its run Wednesday evening with American Patriot Night.
After the grand entry at 7:30 p.m., members of all branches of the military will be recognized for their service. Makayla Gaylord will perform the nation anthem, before the traditional singing of “Empty Saddles.”
“George Glen has sung ‘Empty Saddles” for a long time. It’s a tradition of the rodeo,” said Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo chairman Jack Johnson. “For many years, a horse with an empty saddle would circle through the arena while George sang. The riderless horse was a way to represent Will Rogers and his missed presence at the rodeo. Now, the song honors his memory. Depending on his health, either George will sing or we’ll play a recording of him.”
Event Schedule
The rodeo performances begin each night at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 26.
The rodeo’s lineup of events includes girl’s barrel racing, bareback bronc riding, steer roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, bull riding and team roping.
Thursday, Aug. 24, is Cherokee Nation Appreciation Night at the rodeo. General admission is free for anyone with a blue card/CDIB card.
After the 7:30 p.m. grand entry, Mark Chamberlains will sing the national anthem and then the Cherokee Nation chief and dignitaries will be introduced.
Kid’s Night is Friday, Aug. 25. All kids 12 and under are admitted for free with a paying adult. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with the Kid’s Nickel Scramble. Kids are invited to join the Vinita High School cheer squad in the arena to participate in the Chicken Dance.
Austin Markham will perform the national anthem following the 7:30 p.m. grand entry.
During intermission of the Friday and Saturday rodeo performances, boys and girls, 4-6, will compete in the mutton bustin’. Only 15 pre-entered participants will compete each night.
Saturday night at the rodeo is Chicks n Chaps night. Everybody is invited to wear pink to honor individuals and families who have been impacted by breast cancer.
Kelsey Mulleneaux will sing the national anthem after the 7:30 p.m. grand entry. “Empty Saddles” will be sang by George Glen before the rodeo events begin at 8 p.m.
Working with horses, mules, longhorns or buffalo, 12-time PRCA “Specialty Act of the Year,” The One Arm Bandit & Company, starring Amanda Payne, the daughter of John Payne, will dazzle the audience nightly during the rodeo.
“We also want to recognize the bull fighters, Broc McGuire and Jason Gibbs,” Johnson said, “as well as barrelman and clown Jerry “The Sarge” Casey. They are some of the best.”
Each night, Casey will delight audiences with his fun-filled family entertainment, while bull fighters McGuire and Gibbs will work to keep the cowboys safe.
Rodeo Royalty
The Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo royalty contests will be held during the week of the rodeo. Divided by age, the categories include a rodeo queen for ages 18-24, rodeo teen for ages 13-17 and rodeo princess for ages 8-12.
Contestants in the queen, teen and princess royalty contests appeared in the rodeo parade and attended the All Settler’s Day Reunion. Every night of the rodeo, each contestant will be riding in the grand entry.
The 2017 Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo queen contestants are Brenna Johnson and Taige LaForest. The 2017 teen contestants are Madison LeeAnn Butcher, Ann Grue, Ericka Gean Marang and Charity Pulliam. Competing in the 2017 princess contest are Reagan Leemasters and Jadyn Grace McDonald.
“We have some really talented, beautiful cowgirls who are competing this year,” said Chandy Cowley, who chairs the royalty contests with her husband, Alan. “Come and watch. You’ll be impressed.”
The competition includes horsemanship, speech, modeling, appearance, personal interview and impromptu questions.
“The horsemanship competition, which includes riding ability, a set pattern to perform and rail work, is open to the public. However, the written test about the history of the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo and the PRCA is not.” Cowley said. “We would like to invite everyone out to support the ladies as they compete in horsemanship at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.”
The winners will be crowned on Saturday before the grand entry. They will receive a handmade saddle, crown, buckle and sash.
Slack Night
For those who can’t wait until Wednesday to get started on the rodeo fun, organizers invite you to join them for slack night Tuesday, Aug. 22. According to Johnson, there are more ropers than could possibly compete during the nightly rodeo performances, so organizers hold a slack night so everyone gets a chance to compete.
Slack night begins at 5 p.m. with the introduction of the ropers at the south wing of the American Legion Building.
“There might be 250 ropers,” Johnson said. “Everyone should come out and pick the roper they want to win.”
The timed event slack performance starts at 7 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday, there will be a dance at the Legion Hut. Open to the public, the entertainment will be karaoke on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Rivers Edge will perform on Friday and Saturday.
There is a $5 cover. The Legion Hut is open from noon to 2 a.m. with the entertainment beginning each night at 9 p.m.
Ticket Information
Ticket prices are $12 for general admission, $14 for box seats and $15 for chute seats. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult to receive children’s prices, which are free for 0-5 years old every night and $5 for 6-12 years old. All children under 12 are free on Friday night with a paying adult.
Advance rodeo tickets are available at the Holiday Inn Express in Vinita or at the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce. Tickets may also be purchased at the entrance of the rodeo.
For ticket information, call Sue Ayres at (918) 244-0265.
To find out more about the 81st annual Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo, visit www.willrogersmemorialrodeo.com.
The American Legion Rodeo Arena is located at 26585 South 4410 Road in Vinita.
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