38th Annual Licking Rodeo
Photo by Shari Harris
The riderless horse honored the memory of Dorris Clouse both evenings at the rodeo.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
This weekend marked the 38th Annual Chamber of Commerce Licking Rodeo, complete with two nights of rodeo and Rodeo Saturday events downtown. A wet beginning to Friday night’s rodeo reduced attendance to around 1,000, but Saturday night was a packed house, with about 2,500 attendees.
Saturday downtown events included vendors, music, clogging and a parade. Several businesses held special events of their own on Friday and Saturday, adding to the celebratory feel of the weekend.
Photo by Christy Porter
The Ozark Spirit Cloggers entertained on Main Street Saturday.
Photo by Christy Porter
Herman Hall, a favorite of many in Licking, brought “The 50s at 70 Dance Party” to the streets of Licking during Saturday’s festivities.
Photo by Christy Porter
Boone Creek Church won first place in the rodeo parade with their “Preacher wagon” float.
Photo by Christy Porter
The second place award went to the LHS Cheer squad.
Photo by Christy Porter
Progressive Ozark Bank was a hit on a hot day, handing out popsicles and earning the third place ribbon in the parade.
Photos by Christy Porter
Photos by Shari Harris
Photo by Christy Porter
U-turns were allowed on Main Street Saturday for this line of youngsters.
Photo by Christy Porter
Members of the Licking Police Department, Licking Fire Department and Texas County Sheriff’s Department visited with the public Saturday, including doing Child ID kits.
Photos by Christy Porter
Those attending the rodeo enjoyed the mutton bustin’ starting the show each evening, followed by the opening ceremony. Friday night was military night, and a color guard from Fort Leonard Wood carried the flags into the arena.
Photos by Shari Harris
Photo by Shari Harris
A color guard from Fort Leonard Wood displayed the flags for Friday’s opening ceremony.
Saturday evening a balloon release ceremony was conducted. The family of Eden Bisker released a single yellow balloon to represent children lost to or currently fighting cancer. A pink balloon was released by the Riley Wallace family, to represent adults lost to or currently battling cancer. LPD Police Chief Pat Burton and Officer Kaleb Berkshire released a blue balloon to denote the mental health issues facing those in the military and law enforcement. The senior Wildcat baseball players released a white balloon to signify those lost in school shootings.
Photo by Shari Harris
Saturday evening’s rodeo featured a balloon release paying tribute to those lost or suffering due to cancer, mental health issues affecting military and law enforcement, and school violence.
Both nights, a riderless horse was led through the arena in honor of Dorris Clouse, a founding member of the Licking Rodeo Committee; he was instrumental in getting the annual PRCA Rodeo to take place in Licking and passed away June 1, a day before the rodeo began. Audience members stood to honor his memory as the horse passed.
Also at the Saturday night event, the Licking Wildcat baseball team took a victory lap around the arena to a standing ovation, for winning the State Class 3 Championship title on Thursday.
Photo by Shari Harris
A victory lap at the rodeo arena Saturday brought the crowd to its feet.
New this year at the rodeo was BS Mini Buckers. Youth as young as five years of age showed their skills riding mini bulls, with the bucking skills of the bulls matched to the age of the youth.
Large screen TVs were given away both nights. The Friday night TV by Rinne Tire Pros went to Mike Malberg, of Cabool. Saturday night’s Chamber of Commerce TV went to Robbie Williams, of Licking.
Photo by Shari Harris
Mike Malberg, of Cabool, won the Rinne Tire Pros TV giveaway Friday evening.
Photo by Shari Harris
Robbie Williams, of Licking, won the Licking Chamber of Commerce TV giveaway Saturday evening.
Event winners were as follows: Bareback riding – Maverick Griffin (1), Shannon Warren (2); Saddle Bronc Riding – Chase Gabriel (1), Jake McKellips (2), Blake Steuck (3), John Allen (4); Bull Riding – Jace Hensley (1); Steer Wrestling – Tyler Mann (1), Stuart Gulager (2); Tie Down – Jared Kempker (1), Austin Rains (2), Justin McSorley (3), Houston Shipley (4); Over 40 Tie Down – Scotty Shelton (1), Jeff Kolbe (2), Monty Dyer (3), Gregg Ash (4); Barrel Racing – Lindsay Leverington (1), Jennifer Garn (2), Jessie Alsup (3), Lynsay North (4), Kris Copenhaver (5), Leah Weller (6); Breakaway Roping – Jessie Alsup (1), Owen Gillispie (2), Kaylee Sorrell (3), Kate Albertson (4), Sophie Burkeimker (5), Sami O’Day (6); Team Roping – Cody Scott/Nick Avery (1), Bryan Reiter/Logan Allen (2), Phillip Beauregard/Nathan Sorrell (3), Quentin Sawyer/Carson Stroup (4).
Photos by Shari Harris
Photos by Shari Harris
