Kids show off rodeo skills in Elk Grove Village

Call it the Mild Mild West.

Little cowboys and cowgirls showed off their ranch skills in events that included cow milking, corn stripping and, of course, riding a mechanical bull during Saturday's opening day of the Little Boots Rodeo in Elk Grove Village.

They also panned for gold, rode in horse-drawn wagons and watched pig races.

The rodeo, which continues from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Arlington Heights Road and Devon Avenue, allows kids to tackle 14 events in a noncompetitive atmosphere. After completing the events, each participant is certified as an official Cowboy or Cowgirl on stage.

Now in its ninth year, the rodeo is a fundraiser for the District 59 Education Foundation, Elk Grove Farmers Market, the Lions, Lioness and Leo clubs of Elk Grove Village, and the Kenneth Young Center.

Other activities included a petting zoo, raffle, lasso, Sue the "live" T-Rex, pig races, pony rides, best dressed cowboy and cowgirl contest.