Rodeo – rain and shine!
Photo by Shari Harris
Mud flew as horses dug for traction at Friday evening’s rodeo.
Photo by Christy Porter
The 3 Cs performed country and gospel favorites, to the enjoyment of vendors and shoppers.
Photo by Christy Porter
Cloggers moved their feet to the music, entertaining passersby with their synchronized movements.
Photo by Christy Porter
Boone Creek Baptist Church won first place for their entry in Saturday’s Rodeo Parade.
Photo by Shari Harris
The parade’s second place winner was an entry by Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Photo by Shari Harris
McNew Electric was the parade’s third place winner.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
Rodeo enthusiasts had two days of the Annual Licking Chamber of Commerce Rodeo to enjoy, rain and shine!
Town & Country Bank kicked off the weekend with their Customer Appreciation barbecue, which was followed by an afternoon and evening of rain. Many of the hardy rodeo watchers on Friday evening wore rain gear and carried umbrellas in an effort to maintain some level of comfort. The cowboys and cowgirls weren’t as fortunate, quickly becoming saturated as they battled to overcome the elements while still competing in their categories.
Photos by Shari Harris
From mutton busters to bronc and mini bull riders, an added incentive to staying on their mount was to avoid the coating of mud awaiting them at dismount. Most were covered in a thick layer of brown after their rides. A graceful dismount was impossible, with poor footing in the sloppy arena.
Photos by Shari Harris
Steer wrestlers and tie down ropers fared no better, with gaining footing to stop a running steer or to catch a calf challenging, to say the least. Holding onto that slippery steer or calf once caught was equally difficult. Prizes awarded for Friday evening’s competition were well-earned, including the large screen TV, given by Rinne Tire Pros and won by Carol Foreman, of Licking.
Photo submitted
Friday night’s TV winner Carol Foreman collected her TV at a drier place, on a drier day.
Photos by Christy Porter
Photos by Christy Porter
The weather cooperated beautifully with Saturday’s downtown events. Vendors lined Main Street, and as the morning progressed, the street began to fill.
The Texas County Museum of Art & History held their annual Underground Railroad Quilt auction at noon, the sale of which raises funds for the museum. They also had silent auction items available, with the auction ending June 25.
The Methodist Men’s Group raised money for their College Scholarship Fund, selling ribs, pulled pork, brats and burgers.
The G1 God First Youth Camp fundraiser had to be relocated from Main Street to Abounding Hope Church, but their NACHO AVERAGE FUNDRAISER did well. The free youth camp is for kids 7th through 12 grades.
The 3 Cs sang country and gospel in front of City Hall, alternating with the Cloggers, with both groups impressing all with their talented performances.
Photos by Christy Porter
Photos by Shari Harris
This year’s Rodeo Parade featured the LHS Track Team State Qualifiers and the State Final Four LHS Baseball Team as Grand Marshalls. Entries by Boone Creek Baptist Church, Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church and McNew Electric won first, second and third places, respectively, at the parade.
At Saturday evening’s rodeo, conditions were more favorable for the fans, but the arena remained sloppy, offering a challenge for competitors.
Lee Ann Akins, of Licking, won the large screen TV given by the City of Licking. Kelly Botkin, of Salem, won a wagon full of gardening tools, courtesy of County Fuels, of Eminence. Karen Douglas won the Progressive Ozark Bank cooler.
Over 2,000 attended Saturday evening, and a Moonshine Xpress concert at the Intercounty Pavilion in the park took place after the rodeo, free of charge, adding more fun to a great evening.
Despite Friday’s rain, the 39th Annual Chamber of Commerce Rodeo managed to shine
