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It's rodeo time in Penn Valley

By Pam Jung, pamj@theunion.com
» More from Pam Jung
12:01 a.m. PT May 8, 2008

This year's rodeo in Penn Valley, the 51st, features seven days of celebration. "Wild, Wild West Week," starting Saturday, includes the rodeo kick-off party on Wednesday with lots of food and drink, rodeo queen contestants, live music by Clod Headgate and cowboy poetry. Admission at the rodeo grounds is free, so come with the family and friends and be ready for a "boot scoot'n'" good time.

On May 16, the rodeo itself beings with bull riding excitement. The Keith Wilson Memorial Bull Ride gates open at 5:30 p.m. with rodeo action starting at 7. The Penn Valley Lions Club will be back with the deep pit barbecue starting at 6 p.m. and live music continues until 10.

Performances on May 17 and 18 feature the livestock of Four Star Rodeo Company; one of America's top PRCA rodeo announcers, Doug Mathis; and top barrelman/clown Donnie Landis, a second-generation rodeo clown and a fourth generation cowboy.

On May 17 gates will open at noon. The rodeo parade begins at 1:15. It will start at Western Gateway Park and end at the rodeo grounds. Then comes the queen contestant horsemanship, queen coronation and the ever popular "wool riders."

At 7 that evening the top notch rodeo action begins, featuring the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association cowboys and cowgirls. In his written message concerning rodeo days, Richard "Doc" Halstead, the president of the PVCRA, extolled their virtues in The Cowboy Way: honest, having strong ideals, believe in working hard, being reserved (except maybe on Saturday night) and having "a keen eye for a good horse, a good gun, and a good Cowgirl. (Cowgirls may insert the word Cowboy here.)"

About 65 competitors are expected, says Bob Winters, vice president of the Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association (PVCRA), some of whom are local. Indeed, he says 74 percent of the expected attendance at the rodeo (3,000 to 4,000 people) normally come from Western Nevada County.

Sunday, May 18, starts with breakfast at the old firehouse at 7:30 a.m., followed a little later at 9 by events carried over from the previous day and the rodeo itself at 1 p.m.

The rodeo means many things to many people. Says Winters, "It means the continuation of a 50 year tradition in my community; it means working with a group of really nice and dedicated people; and it means supporting the local nonprofits that we want to help."

Call the Penn Valley Chamber office at (530) 432-1802 or visit the Web site at pvrodeo.com for more information.



KNOW & GO



WHAT: Penn Valley Rodeo

WHEN: May 16-18

WHERE: Penn Valley Rodeo Grounds, Spenceville Rd. and Penn Valley Dr., Penn Valley

ADMISSION: $10 advance tickets online at pvrodeo.com and at local merchants.

$15 at the gate; $5 children under 12.

INFORMATION: Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association online at pvrodeo.com or call its president, Doc Halstead (530) 432-9039 or the Penn Valley Chamber of Commerce at (530) 432-1802.

The public relations contact is Marilyn Bourdet at (530) 559-7093.



Tickets and where to get them

Adult tickets for May 16-18 performances are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate; tickets for kids 12 years and younger are only $5 and may be purchased at the gate.

Purchase tickets in advance at Alta Sierra, Larry and Lena's Pizza; Auburn, Sierra Saddlery; Grass Valley, Citizens Bank, Ridge Feed and Grass Valley Hay and Feed; Penn Valley, Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Bank, Larry and Lena's Pizza, Plaza Tire, Wells Fargo Bank, The Farm Store, The Tack Room; Marysville, Cottons Cowboy Corral; Nevada City, Citizens Bank, Plaza Tire; Smartville, Driftwood Inn. Also online line at pvrodeo.com.

The free kick-off party is on Wednesday, starting at 5:30 p.m.

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