North Washington Rodeo holds kick-off party
WASHINGTON TWP — The Rodeo Arena was alive with the sights and sounds of the annual Rodeo Kick-Off Party on Monday, Aug. 12.
The kick-off party was added to the festivities three years ago.
“We used to have parades but we canceled them because of a lack of participation ... we’re here to bring the community together the best that we can,” said party organizer Jennifer Sutton.
Several organizations were present, including Nevin’s Hunting Friends, West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department and Allegheny Health Network. The volunteer fire departments and emergency services held a touch-a-truck event and raffles, and Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School club Creepers and Crawlers, which allowed people to interact with the animals on display, which included ball pythons and a skink.
“We’ve been coming out here forever. I actually like to watch the rodeo but (my son) likes the animals ... of course the most important thing is supporting the fire department,” said Natalie Clark.
At 7 p.m., attendees sat on the bleachers eating hot dogs, funnel cakes, and “freedom fries” from the concessions stands as the Moniteau Warrior Band and Moniteau High School cheerleaders took the stage.
Other event vendors included Kick Back Ranch and Event Center, which came to the kick-off party from Ramer, Ala.
“We have a lot of people that live up here that come and stay with us in the winter,” said owner Melinda “Mindy” Newell. “I’m telling you, we love the people. We love the community. This is an event we choose to go to.”
“This is a great event. This is one of my favorite rodeos mainly for the people. This is a great rodeo. You don’t see many five-day rodeos anymore,” said rodeo clown Dusty Myers. “I love the crowd. We’ve got a great rodeo crowd ... there’s so much about the rodeo that makes this rodeo great ... this is a very big IPRA rodeo.”
IPRA is the International Professional Rodeo Association, and is one of two major rodeo associations internationally.
The Kick-off Party precedes the North Washington Rodeo, which will take place from Tuesday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. each night, with the gates opening at 6 p.m. Hosted by the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department, the North Washington Rodeo has been a Butler County tradition since 1959.
The North Washington Rodeo started when Clayton Bell brought the idea to North Washington and said the firemen should consider hosting a rodeo. Twenty acres were rented from Ed Rasp, and the seats were rented and borrowed from Pullman Park and Slippery Rock University. The first rodeo took place in August 1959, and after its initial success, the rodeo has been held each year since.
“This is the biggest fundraiser for the North Washington Fire Department,” rodeo chair Dave Hazlet said. “We got a crowd of people here. It’s always been a big hit with the neighborhood.”
Dinner will be hosted Aug. 13 to Aug. 17 from 4-7 p.m. at the social hall behind the rodeo area. Price will be determined, and the menus are available on the rodeo’s website.
Adult admission is $20.02 per person, and admission for children 4-12 years old is $10.53 online at the rodeo’s website.
More information on the rodeo can be found at the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department’s website.
