Licking Chamber Rodeo draws a crowd

By Editor | June 5, 2026 |

Photo by Shari Harris
Ropers thought they had mud to deal with Friday, but Saturday evening saw even more wet muck flying in the arena.

Photo by Katey Wesley
The Country Crossroads Custom Cabinetry float won first place in the parade, and it had something to see from every angle. One photo can’t capture the full effect.

Organizers of the 41st Annual Licking Chamber of Commerce Rodeo may have kept one eye on the sky and the other on the radar Friday and Saturday, but the threat of rain at their events didn’t prevent fans from showing up.

Friday evening attendance may have been a little low, but despite a hard rain Saturday afternoon at the downtown events, by parade time, the rain had stopped and people lined the streets. Saturday evening’s rodeo may have been a little muddier than Friday’s, but the stands were full.

Parade entry judging was able to take place, and this year’s winners were: Country Crossroads Custom Cabinetry, first place; Boone Creek Baptist Church, second place; and Town & Country Bank, third place.

The Little Cowgirl and Little Cowboy competition was held Saturday morning. This year’s Little Cowgirl was Bella Rose H., Little Cowboy 4 and under was Reid S., and Little Cowboy 5-8 was Rhyatt H.

A flurry of activity followed, with the LHS Cheerleaders in charge of the games.

Turtle race winners were Bella Rose H., 5 and under, and Bennett H., ages 6-10.

Stick horse race winners were: Rowan W., Rush W., and Bennett H.

The watermelon eating contest had three age groups with several contestants in each group. In the 5 and under group, Quinn B. was first. Baylor S. was first in the 6-10 age group. Bella B. won the 11-14 age bracket.

Rowan W. won the Ring A Hat competition in the 5 and under group and Oaklee C. was first in the 6-10 group.

The Boot Race saw Raeklynn S. finish first in the 5 and under, and Barrett G. in the 6-10-year-olds.

After all that fun, spectators enjoyed seeing clogging and listening to singing by Craig Brake, though Brake’s second performance was cut short by a cloudburst, which sent everyone scrambling for cover as vendors desperately tried to secure their booths.

Texas County Cattlemen’s Association held a Dummy Roping contest at the rodeo grounds each evening, and awarded their winners during the rodeo.

Large screen TV winners this year were Mitchell Sparks on Friday and Dakota Sharp on Saturday.

In addition to the named winners, everyone who had a good time participating or watching the games, the parade and the rodeo was a winner as well.

Unofficial results of all of the rodeo events are posted on the Outlaw/5J Rodeo Company Facebook page.

FRIDAY

Mutton Bustin