Plenty of rodeo action will be coming Nyssa’s way June 15 and June 16 when the 73rd annual Nyssa Nite Rodeo opens. (The Enterprise/File)
NYSSA — Steeped in tradition, the 73rd Nyssa Nite Rodeo kicks off Friday, June 15.
“It is a fun rodeo. It moves really quick and it is a family thing too,” said Kim Speelman, Nyssa Nite Rodeo secretary.
Admission for the rodeo is $8. Tickets for youth 6 to 12 are $5 while children under 5 get in free.
This year’s events include mutton busting, junior steers and barrels, bareback, ranch bronc, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, breakaway roping, novice bulls and barrels and wild cow milking. Presiding over the annual event is Queen Mikayla Lawrence. Speelman said there would be no grand marshal this year. In conjunction with the rodeo, the 4th Annual Richard Mejia Memorial Roping event is scheduled for this Saturday. The event begins at noon. The junior barrel racer qualifier for ages 13 and under and 14 to 18 will also be held Saturday at the rodeo grounds. Registration and timed runs begin at 8 a.m. Qualifying runs begin at 10 a.m.
Speelman said the Nyssa Nite Rodeo is growing.
“Every year it seems to evolve into something a whole lot better. It has great energy. People are rallying around it and the community of Nyssa backs it,” said Speelman.
More vendors will be on hand for the two-day rodeo than ever before, said Speelman.
“We have quite a few good vendors this year. Gourmet hotdogs, hamburgers, snow cones, a taco wagon, TexMex Fruit cups and corn,” said Speelman.
One new attraction this year, said Speelman, will be the EhCapa Riders. Based in Nampa, the riders are aged 8 through 19 and control their horses through leg movement and their voice and a one-inch wide leather strap around the horse’s neck called a tack rein.
“They come in on Saturday. They will also be there for the parade. At the parade, we will also give away 50 adult tickets for the rodeo,” said Speelman.
Speelman said the rough stock for the rodeo will be provided by Tri-State Rodeo Company in Burns. Also, residents and rodeo-goers can attend the annual Buckaroos Breakfast Saturday, June 16, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Nyssa Senior Center at 316 Good Ave. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs and ham for $5.
Children under 8 can attend for $3. Proceeds from the breakfast support the senior center and provide community Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
Slack for the rodeo will be Thursday, June 14, at 6 p.m.
The rodeo isn’t sanctioned but Speelman said that is actually a benefit for local cowboys.
“We are an open rodeo. We’ve looked into it but we can keep the cost down if we don’t as far as what the cowboys have to pay,” said Speelman.
Reporter Pat Caldwell: [email protected] or 541-473-3377.