LAKEPORT ? The Lake County Rodeo drew spectators in cowboy hats and baseball caps alike, eager to watch the first of two nights of the events on Friday.
The annual event continues to get approximately 5,000 spectators each year and draw participants from surrounding counties and all around California and beyond, according to organizers. The rodeo is in its 79th year, and directors say they hope to pass on the tradition to the next generation.
“It”s been steady,” past-president and present board director Bob Moranda said of the event”s turnout over the 30 years he”s been involved. “It hasn”t gotten any better. I think the old-timers keep coming every year, and we just hope that when they die off, their kids will come.”
Stands were approximately half-full of spectators who cheered, laughed and clapped as competitors went for the glory one at a time in the arena while the announcer and rodeo clown bantered Friday night.
Competitions include bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding and team roping, among others. Cowboys and cowgirls from communities in Lake County and surrounding counties were signed for the events, coming from as far away as Marysville, Chico and San Andreas.
The annual spectacle celebrates old cowboy and cowgirl culture going back more than 200 years to the first Lake County settlers, and has drawn support from businesses and organizations in Lake County to help pay for the event.
Director Melissa Fulton said it takes “well over $30,000 every year” to put the rodeo on, including sponsorships to pay for standby events such as mutton bustin”, local team roping, the “Cutest Lil” Cowpoke” contest and the crowning of the Miss Lake County Rodeo Queen and princess, among others.
Former mutton buster, current rodeo helper and team roping hopeful Cody Smith, 12, said his favorite part of the rodeo is “all of it.”
“But I like the ?Cutest Lil” Cowpoke” contest, too,” Smith said.
“There are 18 young people in the Clearlake Junior Horsemen Drill Team performing tonight, and they are the future of the rodeo,” Fulton said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
