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WAUCONDA – Whether you’re looking for a way to spice up a Saturday date night or simply need a family-fun activity for a Sunday afternoon, the Wauconda IPRA Championship Rodeo can provide answers.
The rodeo – celebrating its 48th event this year on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10 – is a way for professional riders from across the country to compete for points and a spot in the International Professional Rodeo Association championship in January in Oklahoma City, Okla.
And the cowboys – plus an equestrian drill team and rodeo clowns – are ready for an audience to witness their western-themed competitions and antics at the Golden Oaks rodeo grounds on Route 12 and Case Road in Wauconda.
“On Saturday night, it’s real festive with the lights,” said Rosann Hansen, rodeo co-chair for the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the rodeo. “To me, that’s more of a date night, and Sunday’s more of a family day.”
The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Saturday and lasts about three hours, but gates open at 5 p.m. because there is more than saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, cowgirl barrel racing, steer roping and tie-down roping to see.
Food, western novelty and educational vendors will fill a tent, a beer garden will be available, and the Stone Quarry Road band will perform both before and after the rodeo competitions.
On Sunday, the rodeo starts at 3 p.m., but before then, a “Kids’ Jamboree” will open at 1 p.m. to the first 150 children ages 4 to 8 who register on site. Cost is $2 a child. Once inside the arena, the kids will have lots of games and activities to participate in, Hansen said.
A petting zoo and $2 pony rides also will be available.
“[A rodeo is] something the kids don’t see every day, or adults [either],” Hansen said. “There’s a lot of people who love rodeos – they just don’t see them that often.”
Also, Bob Courtney – a “world-class rodeo man” – will be back at the rodeo for the first time in several years, said Mike Latting, rodeo producer.
“Bob is the funny man,” Latting said. “He’s the man in the barrel out in the arena, comedy routine, everything.”
Bullfighter and rodeo clown Ray Sikula, a long-standing competitor and all-around hand at the Wauconda rodeo, also will be in attendance, as will many champion cowboys.
“I don’t leave home without Ray,” Latting said.
Tickets are available at the gate for $15 for adults, and $6 for children 5 to 11. Online tickets bought in advance at www.waucondarodeo.com are $12. Prices have remained the same the past six years, in part because of a sponsorship by Russo Power Equipment this year, said Sandy Hartogh, executive director of the chamber, in an e-mail.
Parking is $6 a vehicle, which includes a coupon for a free car wash at Bubbles & Suds, which has locations in Wauconda and Grayslake.
For more information, call 847-526-5580 or visit www.waucondarodeo.com.
Rodeo schedule of events
• Saturday, July 9 •
Gates open at 5 p.m. – Come early to enjoy a hot dinner and a cool drink under the midway tent. Food vendors will include Brother's BBQ, Bulldogs Grill, Island Lake Dairy Queen, JJ Twigs and Three Amiga's. In addition, two hours of live music from Stone Quarry Road will be performed, the Budweiser Beer Garden will be open and merchandise vendors will sell cowboy hats, T-shirts and other novelties, keeping you entertained until the main event!
Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. – It will be cowboys, bulls and broncos as the 48th annual IPRA Championship Rodeo gets underway! Six competitive events will be interspersed with other variety acts, such as trick riding and equestrian drill teams. The performance will last for approximately three hours. The main events are bull riding, bare back bronc, saddle bronc, barrel racing, tie down roping and steer wrestling.
After the rodeo, the band plays on – Don't go home yet! Stone Quarry Road will play one more set, the Budweiser Beer Garden will keep pouring and food vendors will provide a tasty late-night snack.
• Sunday, July 10 •
Gates open at 1 p.m. – Sunday is family day, with a free petting zoo, $2 pony rides, a "Kids' Jamboree" and wild west cowboys. Come early to enjoy a hot lunch and a cool drink under the midway tent. The Budweiser Beer Garden and merchandise vendors will keep you entertained until the main event!
"Kids' Jamboree" starts at 1:30 p.m. – Registration for the "Kids' Jamboree" will begin promptly at 1 p.m. The first 150 children, ages 4 through 8 only, may register for a $2 fee. Registered children will participate in interactive games from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., as Savage Entertainment will provide a variety of fun events that put the little ones in the main arena for an hour of fun.
Rodeo begins at 3 p.m. – It will be cowboys, bulls and broncos as the 48th annual IPRA Championship Rodeo gets underway! Six competitive events will be interspersed with other variety acts, such as trick riding and equestrian drill teams. The rodeo will last for approximately three hours. The main events are bull riding, bare back bronc, saddle bronc, barrel racing, tie down roping and steer wrestling.
After the rodeo, enjoy dinner under the tent – Don't go home yet! The beer garden will keep pouring, and the food vendors will provide dinner so you don't have to rush home hungry!