LIFESTYLES

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

e world of professional rodeo is an exciting sport that highlights many events that over time have developed and evolved from cattle ranching. A Father’s Day weekend tradition for 57 years in Evergreen, Colorado, this Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) event returns to El Pinal Rodeo Grounds on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18.

Once again, thanks to venue owners Judy and Kenny Jeronimus, a rodeo party will kick o the Rodeo Weekend festivities at the Little Bear Saloon in downtown Evergreen on Friday, June 16 from 5:00-10:00pm.

On Saturday, June 17, the annual rodeo parade commences at 10:00am. is outstanding parade and rousing spectacle of fanfare marches through downtown Evergreen as a forerunner to the Saturday evening and

Sunday a ernoon rodeo performances. e Evergreen Rodeo has been coordinating with EPRD and the Evergreen Lake North Trail Project will not a ect the parade route.

February 28, 1948, thirty-eight women gathered in San Angelo, Texas, and the Girls Rodeo Association was born... As such, the theme of both the Evergreen 2023 Rodeo and the parade is “Honoring Women in Rodeo.” e 2023 parade boasts FOUR, Co-Grand Marshalls: Judy Jeronimus, co-owner of the Little Bear; Gail Sharp, owner of TallGrass Spa & Salon; Kristy Tolan, Kiwanis member and owner of Mobile Vet; and longtime rodeo supporter and volunteer Liz Nordeen. All four women, who have been involved with the Evergreen Rodeo for

Women in Rodeo’ in June

over thirty years, are appreciated and recognized as being an important part of this beloved community event. e 2023 Evergreen Rodeo features quality-bred livestock and introduces and showcases national top rodeo professionals who will demonstrate their skills at riding broncos, barrel racing, roping calves, wrestling steers, and more! In keeping with this year’s theme, “Honoring Women in Rodeo,” the 2023 Evergreen Rodeo is pleased to include a Break Away Roping event on Saturday and Sunday, which will spotlight steer roping by rodeo women.

“In 2022, we broke our annual rodeo attendance record with over 6,000 people coming out to our El Pinal Rodeo Grounds and this year we certainly expect to top that number,” said Bryan McFarland, Chairman of the Evergreen Rodeo Association Board. “In order to accommodate the anticipated larger attendance at this year’s event,” explained McFarland, “the rodeo gates will open one hour earlier on Saturday and Sunday to give attendees more time to nd parking, settle in, and see the pre-show before the rodeo actually starts.”

Evergreen Rodeo Association’s volunteer members work diligently year-round to ensure the rodeo (a nonpro t event) puts on the best possible show for our incredible community.

“We simply could not produce the Rodeo and Parade without our dedicated members, volunteers, and sponsors,” said Bryan McFarland. “We are truly so thankful to each and every one of our volunteers, contributors, and sponsors who have supported us over the years and enable us to make this rodeo such an enduring community event.” For a comprehensive list of Evergreen Rodeo Sponsors and more details about the event, visit the website (https://evergreenrodeo.com). Also, it is not too late to become a sponsor for the 2023 Evergreen Rodeo, if you or your business has an interest to do so.