What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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JUNE 19-25, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 5 FAQ Rodeo of the Ozarks WHEN — Gates open at 5:30 p.m. June 22-25; youth events begin at 6 p.m.; grand entry is at 6:30 p.m. WHERE — Parsons Stadium in Springdale COST — $10-$40 INFO — 756-0464, springdalebenevolentfoun- dation.com SPRINGDALE The Next Generation Rodeo of the Ozarks ropin' fans in young TeamGhostRiders from Pontotoc, Miss., brings Capuchin monkeys riding on dogs back to the Rodeo of the Ozarks as part of this year's entertainment. (NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/Andy Shupe) Mutton Bustin' lets the first 30 kids who sign up nightly ride sheep as part of the preshow fun at the Rodeo of the Ozarks. (NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/Andy Shupe) BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette I f parents play their cards right, they can start their kids on a lifelong adventure, courtesy of the Rodeo of the Ozarks. The 77th edition of the rodeo is scheduled June 22-25 at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. Founded in 1944, the rodeo should be 78 but canceled the 2020 performances due to covid-19 concerns. It's back this year with some old favorites and some new entertainment, much of it focused on corralling the next generation. "Many of the people who come don't know rodeo," admits Rick Culver, executive director. "It's just entertainment. So we've had to change the way we think. They might not know any of the cowboys — or they might know all of them; we've still got the hardcore cowboys and spectators. But probably 80% of our audience is coming to be entertained. "And bringing the kids in is everything." To that end, the Rodeo of the Ozarks hosted a two-day horse camp the first weekend in June. Now in its second year, the camp invited youngsters to come and learn all about horses and ride one at the end — and it was booked solid, with all 160 spots reserved in about six hours. "Lots of kids have never had the chance to learn about horses," Culver says. "This isn't a farm community like it was. Everybody doesn't own horses like they did 40 or 50 years ago." Beginning June 22, youngsters who missed horse camp can take their turns in the saddle starting at 5:30 p.m. every day when the rodeo gates open. Connie Boger will have her pony rides set up — and she hopes to do some teaching at the same time as providing pre-show fun. Connie and her husband, the late rodeo clown Bunky Boger, traveled the United States with as many as four semi truck-and trailer combinations, first going to rodeos and later bringing See Rodeo Page 6 Members of the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders, an elite drill team on horseback, bring in the Rodeo of the Ozarks flag during the grand entry in 2021. (NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/Andy Shupe)