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64th Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will feature expanded bullfighting among other changes
SIKESTON -- A crowd gathered Thursday at the Sikeston Regional Chamber meeting to hear the entertainment lineup and plans for the 64th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.
While the main announcement was the performers -- Chase Rice on Aug. 10, Granger Smith on Aug. 11, Dwight Yoakam on Aug. 12 and Frankie Ballard on Aug 13 -- there are plenty of new changes announced as well.
The first change, announced by Sikeston Jaycee General Chairman Zach Fayette, was a partnership with Anheuser-Busch to be the beer vendors at the rodeo for the next five years.
Fayette also said the bull fights will be expanded this year to two nights.
"Every year it seems to get more popular and we've received several requests to expand it to multiple nights," Fayette said. "This year we will do long round bullfighting on Thursday with the top three coming back Friday night to compete for $5,000 extra and the championship."
Bullfighting has become one of the major draws of the rodeo and is an event that takes quite a bit of skill.
"While no bulls are harmed in Long Round Bullfighting, bullfighters are risking their lives," said De Bizzell, Sikeston Jaycee president. "The rodeo clowns do their best to distract and avoid the bull by dodging, jumping and using the barrels. Being a freestyle form of bullfighting developed in rodeo, it's only a 70-second competition, but it's a long 70-seconds. It's a really intense event featuring Mexican fighting bulls designated solely for bullfighting."
Another change will take place on Saturday when the Jaycees are encouraging patrons to join them in wearing purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Night.
"We just felt it was a worthy cause and way to take a stand," Fayette said.
A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit local residents affected by domestic violence.
Fayette also told those in attendance that last year the Jaycees were able to donate $175,000, topping the $100,000 from the San Antonio, Texas, rodeo which is a 26-day rodeo with a $22-million operating budget and 13 full-time employees.
"We are looking forward to another great year, with an additional night of bullfighting and having the opportunity to donate to great causes," Fayette said. "We encourage families and people of all ages to pack the stands, enjoy some awesome entertainment and help improve our community. We have a great event line-up with more than $100,000 to award as part of Wranglers Million Dollar Rodeo Tour."
To learn more or purchase tickets to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo visit SikestonRodeo.com or call (800) 455-BULL.