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  • Justin McKee, right, and Joe Henderson, entertain the crowd at the Ropin’ A Dream Gala held in February at the Simmons Center. McKee is a PBR announcer and will be the announcer for the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo coming here in October. Toni Hopper

    Justin McKee, right, and Joe Henderson, entertain the crowd at the Ropin’ A Dream Gala held in February at the Simmons Center. McKee is a PBR announcer and will be the announcer for the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo coming here in October.
March 8, 2012

Prairie Circuit committee is energized

Final numbers on Gala unknown; projects move on

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Final numbers aren’t quite in for the Ropin’ A Dream Gala held in February, but, it appears that it will be good, said co-chairman Mike Anderson.

He and Joe Henderson co-chair the local committee for the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo that comes to Duncan in October.

“The gala went very well and the results are not completed, but we feel positive about everything,” Anderson said Tuesday. “We just still don’t have a final number.”

Meanwhile, the committee is regrouping with a new enthusiasm.

Bringing new members on board to replace some prior members who dropped off the committee has also generated excitement.

Chris Kidd of Addington is one of the newest members. Kidd works with Farm Bureau and serves as an advocate at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Anderson noted. Committee members were informed Tuesday when they met this month at the Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

About 18 people attended the March meeting and Anderson anticipates another meeting could happen.

“We had more people committee members attended then they have in recent months,” he said. “The attitude was very joyous and happy. Everything was real positive. Sheriff Wayne McKinney attended and he and Julie are on board. Everyone is excited.” Julie McKinney is mayor of Central High.

Anderson said a new roster of committee members will be drafted and should be available in the near future.

Meanwhile, new ideas are being tossed about, but for the most part, the committee is turning its attention to the October rodeo.

“This program should be fun. It’s bringing excitement to Duncan that Duncan hasn’t had in awhile,” Anderson said. “We want this to become like the hog show, which has been here for 26 years, but this is a way to get the community more involved.”

Anderson said while the hog show attracts a number of outside residents who are specific to that industry, the rodeo is an event that appeals to all ages and interests.

“We want to combine the community with this. It will take the community to make this happen and for the community to benefit we want involvement. Just like when you go to Las Vegas, everyone wears shorts and T-shirts, but for two weeks when the rodeo is in town, everyone dresses up like cowboys and cowgirls.”

Anderson said now that the Gala is behind them, the direction is a good positive one for the rodeo.

“It’s a PRCA-sanctioned event, and there are certain things we have input with, but the PRCA furnishes the judges, timekeepers and stock. We picked our announcer, who is Justin McKee, and we choose the specialty acts. We provide chute help and other things.”

Anderson said there’s a lot of work that will take a lot of manpower, but, he’s feeling good about everything.

“It’s going to be the best of the best. Those cowboys and cowgirls with the Prairie Circuit are some of the best in the country and they’ll be coming here.”

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