Rodeo off to bucking start Monday
WASHINGTON TWP — A new tradition may be roped into the North Washington Rodeo festivities after the success of the kickoff party Monday night.
From children’s activities to food, the community day offered new opportunities for families to ring in the week of events involved in the rodeo.
Dave Hazlet, president of North Washington Volunteer Fire Department and chairman of the rodeo, said the party was inspired by changing times.
“We had done the parade for years and years and decided to do the party instead this year. If you’re not changing, you’re not growing, and if you’re not growing what are you doing,” he said. “This event is for the community, the rest is for the fire department.”
Attendees crowded the bleachers as cheerleaders kicked up dust during a performance by Moniteau High School Marching Band and later, country rock band Rustic Revelation provided music.
The week of rodeo attractions serves as a fundraiser for the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department, Hazlett said.
“We have an average number of $60,000 raised a year. It’s been the major fundraiser for 62 years,” he said. “We want to make the rodeo bigger, we’re one of the biggest this side of the Mississippi, all top-notch stuff. We used to be the only one for miles and miles.”
Attendees watched the show, mingled among friends enjoying ice cream and fries and wandered around booths manned by organizations with rubber duck races and raffles.
In addition, the fire departments of Bruin, Eau Claire, Slippery Rock and West Sunbury joined North Washington outside the arena, giving tours of their trucks and showing off their gear to passersby.
Carrie Thompson, of Butler, said she and her family have attended the rodeo festivities for more than four years.
“My daughter played trumpet in the marching band today,” she said. “We like the family atmosphere and the areas kids can play in.”
Thompson said she looks forward to the bull-riding events later in the week.
“It’s an adrenaline rush watching them,” she said. “(The rodeo) is five days of family fun and atmosphere where kids can go enjoy events without worrying about what’s going on in the world.”
Jake Rowley, of Washington Township, said his 12-year-old daughter Savannah’s passion for horses brings them back to the rodeo every year
“It’s a unique experience you don’t get anywhere else,” he said.
His wife, Alicia, said she was disappointed by the lack of a parade this year but was enjoying the kickoff party.
“The kids look forward to the parade every year,” she said. “It brings people in.”
George and Delores Early said they attend the rodeo’s opening every year, mainly for the food.
“It looks very different this year,” Delores said of opening day. “But so far, so good. It’s a big turnout, you get to see people you don’t normally get to see.”
“It brings in a lot of money,” George added.
Part of the reason the rodeo is so popular, Hazlet said, is because of the competitors they attract to events such as barrel racing and bull riding.
“We bring in the world champs, the big names, the pros,” he said. “This year we got Justin Thigpen, of Georgia, he’s a world champion all around cowboy.”
Other rodeo professionals will be featured in events such as saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and calf roping.
Delores said ultimately the rodeo is about bringing the community in.
“It’s a little bit of excitement,” she said. “It brings the neighborhood together.”
This story was updated at 9:30 a.m. August 16, 2022 to reflect that the cost for entrance is $18 per adult and $9 for children age 4-12. A previous version of this story stated the presale prices.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: The North Washington Rodeo
WHERE: 2225 Oneida Valley Road
WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
HOW MUCH: Adults $18, children 4 through 12 years old $9
