Over the course of two days, the Sixth Annual Big Bend Rodeo was presented in western Quincy by the Gadsden Horseman’s Association. This event was planned in partnership with the Professional Cowboy’s Association, with cooperation from Gadsden County and member agents of the Family and Consumer Sciences FAMU/UF Agricultural Office.
The rodeo was held behind the Alfred J. Lawson Gadsden County Cooperative Extension Service Building, in the Gadsden Horsemen’s Arena.
On Friday, the gates opened at 6 p.m. and events beginning at 7 p.m. – the rodeo stretched deep into the evening, with gates closing around midnight. On Saturday, the event also opened at 6 p.m., with events again beginning at seven but closing around 10 p.m.
Major sponsors for the event included such institutions as the aforementioned Florida Department of Corrections, Dukes and Dotties, Padgett Jewelers, The Feed Store from Havana, State Farm, Ultimate Fencing, and a long and varied list of others.
Over fifty vendors were included in the rodeo, and sold such items as specialty hats, corn dogs, cotton candy, and nachos. Mechanical Bull-Riding mini-game was available for all ages. Massages services were offered, for attendants looking to relieve stress. These vendors came from many areas of the Southeast United States. Boiled peanuts, snacks, soft drinks, and water were also served at the general concession stand. Specialties such as Unicorn Tacos and Funnel Cakes were also on sale.
“This event started because the members of GHA wanted to bring entertainment to the Gadsden County community,” said Danny Paramore. Together with the help of his wife Glen, and the assistance of his daughter and son-in-law, the rodeo event was planned. “Additionally, they wanted to share a live event they are very passionate about. On both nights, we are expecting attendance of around 3,500 to 4,000 people; the effect of this on the local economy is huge, and as you will know we are going to be packed from the bleachers on both sides down to the white safety line around the ring.”
“Our group is small, but mighty,” said Danielle S. Williams, Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent of the UF-IFAS Extension Office. “We want to share the rodeo, the Western way of living with many. We want to help bring families together to come enjoy across all the Panhandle and Big Bend region. But this is, of course, one stop of the many rodeos in the National PCA Competition, and we want to facilitate it happening with proper community support and great help planning.”
As customary before any Rodeo events, the dirt of the arena was dragged and wettened; the idea behind this, as a few of the hands mentioned, was to have the arena be far less dusty. This practice, when done continuously, smooths out the ground; such care makes all events safer for competitors, participants, and the animals. Attendants were encouraged to bring their own seating, as the bleachers of each side quickly filled.
A mix of eight events was held each evening, totaling to an amount of sixteen different ones. These events included participanys across all ages, with categories ranging from local children below a certain weight, to casual participation events who included the first citizens to enter the ring after a brief announcement, to decorated professionals who have made a living out of the lifestyle and have achieved national fame and recognition. Apparel for participants was that of Western Dress – plaid long-sleeve button ups, blue denim jeans, belt-buckles, and cowboy boots.
The variety of the events included, but was not limited to Mutton Busting, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Ranch Bronc, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc, Wild Donkey Racing, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Tiedown Roping, Calf Roping, and Steer Wrestling. This list of events made up the general areas of the evening for all.
For competitors in many of these fields, an undisclosed sum of prize money was offered in recognition of the best in their respective competitions. Names were randomly selected from a pool of performers for a small list to perform first; those who were not selected were chosen to participate in the “slack” section at the tail-end of the showings on both nights, which were still professionally graded by a group of judges. The selected group of judged winners would go on to participate in PCA Rodeo Finals in Biloxi, Mississippi, of which the Big Bend Rodeo is, in addition to others held around the country, a culmination of various ones. For each child participant in the Mutton Busting category, a participation ribbon was given by organizers.
The animals which were utilized in the show were sourced from the 3-R Rodeo Company, which is based in Jimmison, Alabama and were a major sponsor of the Big Bend Rodeo.
Many of the contestants traveled with their steeds and rode their own horses in many of the participatory events. Musical choices during the evening were a combination of Heartland and Southern Rock, including artists such as the Band and Alabama, with sprinklings of Country and Americana music. Additionally, a survey was conducted in regards to the economic impact of the Big Bend Rodeo in the Gadsden County area, with the result being surveyors being submitted into a raffle. One raffle was held each of the two nights, and the two designated winners for this survey each received a free t-shirt.
Ruben Uribe – Gadsden County News Service
