The Cattlemen Days Rodeo is returning to Ashland this weekend, continuing a more than 40-year-old tradition.
The Cedar Valley Riders saddle club and Ashland Optimist Club are once again bringing Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events to Ashland, starting at 8 p.m. Friday. The annual event includes competitions in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding for men and women.
A “Kiddy Roundup” will be 6-7 p.m., featuring roping, stick horse barrels and more. The roundup is not a competition, but a free activity for younger children 6-11 years old to practice rodeo events. The roundup is a first-come, first-served activity.
There will be rodeo entertainment from Ron Burton and Jerry Thornton.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be a parade in downtown Ashland, open to anyone who wants to participate and sponsored by the Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce. The parade, which will include old vehicles and tractors, will start at the Optimist building and travel south on Henry Clay, west on Broadway, north on Main Street, east on Ash Street and north on Henry Clay, ending back at the Optimist building. Anyone who wants to participate in the parade should be at the Optimist building by 1 p.m. Saturday for parade line-up. No advance entry is required and cash prizes will be awarded to the top four parade entries.
The Optimist building and arena are located on Optimist Drive. Visitors coming from the south should turn left onto East Broadway from U.S. 63, then right onto Business 63 and left onto Optimist Drive.
On Saturday night, the rodeo begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the rodeo will be $13 at the gate; tickets for children 6-11 years old are $5, and children 5 years and younger get in free.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $11 at Schulte’s in Jefferson City, Central Bank of Boone County, Connections Bank, The Callaway Bank and River Region Credit Union in Ashland, and Larry’s Boots and Fringe Boutique in Columbia.
The rodeo does not accept credit or debit cards.
Concessions will be available for all, and adults can enjoy a beer tent.
On both nights after the rodeo, those in attendance can enjoy live music and dancing. Jordan Heckemeyer will perform Friday night, and the The Travis Cole Band will perform Saturday night. Both are country artists.
For more information, visit cattlemendaysrodeo.com.