DUNCAN —
For 15 months, a group of people have dedicated their time and energies to bring a professional rodeo to Duncan and Stephens County. From Oct. 16-20, there will be an influx of new faces circulating throughout the area, as the PRCA Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo digs its spurs into Duncan. Most of the cowboys, their families and sponsors will arrive in Duncan Oct. 17, as the actual rodeo begins Thursday, Oct. 18 and continues through Oct. 20 at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.
Local committee chairman Joe Henderson said this will be an opportunity for rodeo fans to see the best rodeo athletes in the circuit compete. Some of those have World Champion titles connected to their career.
“Most of the circuit people will come in on Wednesday. What’s different about this rodeo from others we have here is that these cowboys and cowgirls will be here for the entire event,” he said. That’s because it is the finals competition, but most of those competing have already qualified for the bigger rodeos — including that of the National Circuit Finals in Oklahoma City in March and also for NFR in Las Vegas, Nev., rodeo, Henderson said.
“We have been working on this rodeo for 15 months and almost a weekly meeting for the last 11 months. We have a lot of committee people who have stuck it out and have done really well,” he said.
Henderson cites plenty of reasons why everyone here should get excited. That includes the impact on the community from a tourist revenue standpoint to the fact that the rodeo is a pro-rodeo.
“Ryan Jarrett of Comanche, who is 8th in the world standings, and Cody Navarre, they will both be here,” he said.
The Circuit Finals attracts professional rodeo athletes from Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.
“If you want to see your cowboy compete multiple times, this is the place to do that,” he said.
While it’s been a lot of work, the biggest challenge lies ahead in the next two weeks.
The PRCA Prairie Circuit Finals has a deep background, but not since the Gaylords sold the Lazy E in Guthrie has the rodeo attracted this much attention in Oklahoma. While the three day event was held in Weatherford in 2011, that was only a temporary stop, as the PRCA committee had already signed a contract with the local committee to bring the event to Duncan. To encourage the competitors, the local committee has been working to secure sponsors and prizes.
A quick look at the upcoming event:
- Volunteers are needed. At least 30 to 40 volunteers will be needed to help with the event.
- Autograph signing at Crutcher’s Western Wear in Duncan 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, featuring the Circuit Rodeo Queens from each of the three states and a few of the top competitors.
- More than $60,000 in prize money will be awarded to the competitors.
- Private reception set for the athletes and other individuals directly associated with the event.
- Concert following the rodeo on both Friday and Saturday night. Jason Boland and The Stragglers will perform Friday; and Shady5Eighty will open for No Justice during the Saturday night concert.
- Rodeo is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. nightly, with a 9 a.m Friday Steer Roping event. Tickets are available at Crutcher’s Western Wear in Duncan and Lawton.
See Sunday’s Banner for more coverage on this upcoming event.
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