Valley Girl Views: The Benton Rodeo

The 2018 Benton Rodeo Chicks

It's rodeo week! And if history tell us anything, that means it's going to rain this week. The show however, will go on - rain or shine - as always!

Inside the gates you will find games, vendors, and lots of food! There's a bounce house for the kids, a horse raffle, pony rides, and if you need a new cowboy hat or boots, the selection here is the best around. There is free entertainment in the band shell each evening. For dinner, your options range from haluska and hot sausage to nachos, pizza and milkshakes, and of course funnel cakes and fries. You can enter this area for free each night. (Please note, there is no longer an atm on the premises - so bring cash with you!)

The show opens each night at 7:30 with the Benton Rodeo Chicks. Try outs are held in March for this team, which must keep their horses in sequence, certain spaces apart. They have to make turns in sync, & weave in an out with out without running into each other. It's a choreography on horseback - and they do it all while holding flags. It may seem impossible to many of us, but as you can see while watching the barrel races, these girls know their horses, and many of them have been riding since before their feet reached the stirrups.

It continues with the national anthem, and cowboys prayer.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights are free admission each year. On Tuesdays you can watch the fun horse show, and on Wednesdays is it barrel racing.

Thursday - Sunday admission is $15 for adults, $12 for age 12 & under, free for children age 3 and under. Admission is $10 for active duty military. Parking is $5 (free on Tuesday and Wednesday). The APRA Sanctioned Rodeo begins Thursday - Saturday at 7:30pm. On Sunday at 10am it's cowboy church, a non denominational service, this year honoring the memory of Rev Jim. At night, it's the Bull-A- Rama, again starting at 7:30pm

Primitive camping is available all week, sites are $5 a night.

On Saturday at 8am there will be a 5k, with the proceeds benefiting Leukemia research. At 10 am, a "Special Kids Round Up " is held, a program started by the late Charlie Lamont, for kids with special needs. Lunch and a show is provided free of charge, and in the past money has also been raised to benefit organizations such as Camp Victory, and The Therapeutic Riding Center.

Each night at the rodeo, kids can participate in the Mutton Bustin event. Six participants will be chosen, they must be 50 lbs. and under. Each contestant must pre-register to be eligible to ride. The sheep are caught, and held still while the child is sat in the riding position - then the sheep is let loose. Often ribbons or small prizes are given to the child who can ride the longest.

This year Rodeo Clown Keith Eisley will be entertaining at the Benton Rodeo, as part of his farewell tour before retirement. Eisley began his career as a rodeo clown at age 15, in 1972. He's worked in Puerto Rico, Canada, and the USA, receiving numerous awards and honors for his comedy routines.

The Benton Rodeo is rated as one of the best rodeos east of the Mississippi, and is always a great week of family friendly entertainment. Rain or shine. :-)