Lamar Hosts Colorado State High School Rodeo Championships this Weekend

Rodeo competition and a host of social events comprise the annual high school rodeo championships at the Prowers County Fairgrounds this weekend. Lamar was selected as the host city for the second time in several years by the rodeo committee.

Contestants begin arriving on Wednesday, June 6, and will attend a free ice cream social this evening at the LCC Wellness Center. Thursday activities will see two rounds of competition, divided by afternoon bowling at Lamar Lanes and the Cow Palace Inn will host a dance for contestants and family following the second performance. The dance and soft drinks are free to rodeo contestants.

Friday promises to be a full day with 9am cutting scheduled for the LCC Arena, scholarship interviews begin at 10am at the fairgrounds Home-Ec Building and a free pool party is set for 1 to 4pm for contestants and family. Senior Night begins at 5:30 at the Fairgrounds and the evening will be capped with a free dance for contestants and family at the Centennial Building following the day’s competition.

The 3rd performance and second go-round begins at 10am Saturday, followed by a pot-luck BBQ in Elmer’s Garden at 1pm. A general membership meeting and election will be conducted at 3pm in the grandstands and the 4th performance and second go-round begins at 7pm. The Championship Round Performance starts at 10am Sunday, followed by an awards presentation and $10 per person banquet at the LCC Wellness Center at 2pm. The concession stand under the fairgrounds will be open beginning on Thursday at 9am.

Just over 150 rodeo participants from around the state are expected, as well as almost 500 spectators for the four day event. The Prowers Lodging Tax Panel donated $14,000 to the state rodeo association for contract rights to host the annual event. This is a fee stipulated by the rodeo association for any community awarded host city status.

By Russ Baldwin