In fact, the event has become so legendary that it was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame last year.
“As far as I know we’re the only group like us in there,” said Larry Walden, Captain of the PCSP. “It’s a great honor.”
Walden also noted that for each of the past two years the rodeo has been nominated by the PRCA as one of the top five rodeos in the nation for its size.
“The induction into Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame was a huge honor for us, to be recognized for having a rodeo of the caliber worthy of making the hall was amazing, it means a great deal to our organization,” added Doug Leeper, a member of the PCSP Rodeo Committee.
The rodeo is sanctioned by the PRCA and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
Getting started
The activities for the 78th Annual Rodeo Week begins with the annual Cattle Drive. It starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 7 in Millsap and will conclude by entering through the back entrance of the Posse grounds around lunch time. Walden said about 50 head of cattle will be driven.
“Right now we have over 300 people signed up to ride,” Leeper said.
Participants will be served a chuckwagon breakfast by Heritage Society Log Cabins in Millsap, along with a barbecue lunch. Cost is free to participate.
Later that day the rodeo parade will take place, starting at the Ninth-Grade Center, 1007 S. Main St. in Weatherford and heading north around the courthouse, west on Palo Pinto (Mineral Wells Highway), left on Waco Street to the Cherry Park area.
The evening will also include a good, old fashioned, free, family-friendly Street Dance, with the opening band (Tyler Bond) starting at 5 p.m. and the featured band (Leon Albert Payne) taking the stage around 7:30. It will be on the corner of Dallas/York Streets on the northwest quadrant of the square in downtown Weatherford.
Food trucks will be available. Coolers are welcome. Bringing your chairs is advised.
Mutton bustin’
Also on Saturday is an event for youngsters called mutton bustin’. This is where children ride and race sheep.
The competition takes place at 6:30 p.m. (check-in time is 6 p.m.) at the PCSP Arena, 2251 Mineral Wells Hwy.
This qualifier will take the top 32 riders to the rodeo June 11-14. The top eight contestants will ride on Saturday, June 14, and the next eight on Friday, June 13, with the next eight on June 12 and eight more on June 11.
Contestants must be 4-6 years old on the dates of the qualifier and rodeo and under 60 pounds.
Entertainment
At the end of each night’s rodeo will be a concert. The performers and their respective nights are:
“We have moved the concert and dancing to just south of the arena,” Leeper said. “We have torn down that first barn that was right behind the arena, and the dancing and concerts will be there. The vendors will be over at the next barn down.”
The rodeo
Each evening begins with a Grand Entry, kids starting at 7:30 p.m. followed by adults. No double riding is allowed. The rodeo begins at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10, is Chick-Fil-A Bulls Night Out, featuring PRCA Extreme Bull Riding.
The rodeo action continues June 11-14 and includes bull riding, bronco riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, ladies breakaway roping, barrel racing, and mutton bustin’.
Other events throughout the week include:
“Our mission is to preserve the western heritage in Parker County,” Walden said. “Thirteen guys (the original PCSP) got together in 1947 and decided we were losing it. We’ve been working hard to preserve it ever since.”
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