Annual Parker County event closes successful week

Katelyn Scott of Odessa earned $618 for her place in the Parker County Rodeo barrel racing competition. The event was her nineteenth rodeo of 2024.

The arena is quiet and the trailer parking area is empty. The 2024 Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo and Frontier Days is in the books with high attendance, entertaining exhibits, and cash prizes for fortunate contestants over the week of June 4-8.

The week began with a traditional cattle drive to the rodeo grounds followed by the Frontier Days Parade down Main Street in Weatherford, both led by Parker County Posse members. A Western street dance at the downtown square finished the opening-day festivities.

Impact

Former rodeo athlete Mallory Morris was a member of the Weatherford College Rodeo Team, the Weatherford High School Rodeo Team, and participated in past Parker County Rodeos. Morris works at Jerry’s Cadillac, which is a Title Sponsor of the event.

“The rodeo is such a tradition in the community,” Morris said, noting this was the 77th year for the event. “People of all ages and from everywhere come to see this grand event. It also brings a lot of revenue into the community and gets the word out about our businesses and this town of ours.”

Rick Howell, an employee of five-year rodeo sponsor Hartin Tree Service, said as the county keeps growing, the rodeo and Frontier Days help take people back to their historic roots.

“We love the rodeo,” Howell said. “The rodeo is also good for the small businesses of our area. As a sponsor, we see immediate results from getting our name out there.”

Barrel racer Helen Nowosad of Stephenville readies her ride for a shot at part of the Parker County Rodeo prize money.

Rodeo

The rodeo is an annual stop for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit and drew competitors from across the U.S.

The animals from four stock providers were particularly feisty this year, with some competitors putting in lower scores than they hoped for. The riding stock was not kind to cowboys on Day 3 with no riders able to stay in the saddle for bareback competition, and only one cowboy completing a successful bull ride. Hunter Tate of Riverton, Kansas, won that day with an 81 point go.

Cash payout for the winners and placers was $157,205, according to PRCA.totals.

After the week of PRCA competition, the arena south of the big event came alive with Ranch Rodeo traditional Western competition which included cash and belt buckle prizes. The Ranch Rodeo weekend featured the Native American Indian Experience highlighting native culture, historic dancing and a unique and exciting buffalo riding competition.