By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
Cowboys from a dozen regional ranches will compete for bragging rights in the annual Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday.
Rodeo action begins at 7 p.m. nightly in the Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave. Admission is $17 for adults and $7 for children ages 7 to 12.
"The Coors Cowboy Club is about promoting Amarillo the 'cowboy way' and helping your neighbor," chairman Tod Mayfield said in a news release. "The events we have planned emphasize the everyday work of the cowboy way of life, both past and present."
Contests include saddle-bronc riding, stray gathering, branding, trailer loading and wild cow milking.
Competing ranches are High Card Ranch of Clarendon; LX Ranch of Amarillo; Singleton Ranches of Lamy, N.M.; Bravo Ranch and Shelton Ranches of Amarillo; Smith Oasis Cattle of Canadian; NK Cattle Co. of Amarillo; JA Ranch of Amarillo; K Bar Cattle Co. of Vega; Mayo Ranch of Wichita Falls; X Cross X Ranch of Spearman; Myers Cattle Co. of Claude; and Baca Ranch of Vega.
Ranches must have historical significance in the area to be eligible, and all participants must be ranch owners, full-time employees or day workers of presently working ranches.
The weekend kicks off with a longhorn cattle drive from 11th Avenue and Polk Street, north to Third Avenue, east to Marrs Street, south to 10th Avenue and east again into the Tri-State Fairgrounds. Spectators are invited to watch from anywhere along the route. The intersection of Seventh Avenue and Polk Street will feature jazz music from musicians who'll play at the upcoming Empire Jazz Club, and the upcoming Moondoggy's Pizza & Pub will provide cold beer.
Amateur photographers and videographers can enter a photo and video contest, this year themed "celebration." Photos must be at least 300 dpi, and videos may be no longer than one minute. Submit photo entries to newmedia@amarillo.com and links to video entries to dan@visitamarillo.com by 6 p.m. June 5. The top winner in each category will win $500.
On the rodeo grounds, the fun begins at noon Friday with the opening of the Cowboy Christmas shopping expo. Shopping hours are noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The Brats & Brew dinner runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, and a chuckwagon dinner runs 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Outdoor rodeo dances will follow each night's rodeo action. Dinner, rodeo and dance all are included in the price of admission.
The event also includes a washer pitching contest from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
For information, call 806-376-7767.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
