IPRA Championship Rodeo returns to Wauconda
The Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce will host the IPRA Championship Rodeo for the 54th consecutive year on Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16, at the Golden Oaks Equestrian Center on Case and Rand roads in Wauconda.
The show starts at 5 p.m. Saturday with pre-rodeo activities, including a mechanical bull, food booths, a beer garden and merchandise vendors.
Saturday's rodeo performances begin at 7 p.m. and include routines by the Midwest Renegade Equestrian Drill Team, trick riders, and antics from the rodeo clowns alongside six rodeo events: Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, Steer Roping and Tie-Down Roping.
There will be live musical performances by the band Sixes & Sevens before and after the rodeo competition. from 5-7 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.
Sunday will be "Family Day." The gates will open at 1 p.m. with pre-rodeo festivities including a free petting zoo, $3 pony rides and a moonwalk. The food booths, beer garden, mechanical bull and vendors will also be available.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, the IPRA Championship Rodeo will begin with the return of the Midwest Renegade Equestrian Drill Team, along with specialty acts and professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the country competing in rodeo events for fans of all ages.
Rodeo tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-11 and free for kids 4 and younger. Parking is $7 per vehicle. Advance tickets are available online at WaucondaRodeo.com and at the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce office, 100 N. Main St., Wauconda; Wauconda Community Bank, 495 W. Liberty St., Wauconda; and Three Amigas, 450 W. Liberty St., Wauconda.
On the day before the rodeo, Friday, July 14, the equestrian center will also serve as the setting for the "Badges vs. Bad Guys" charity boxing event, organized by the Lake County Athletic and Boxing Club. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the bouts begin at 7 p.m.
The matches plan to pit "average Joes" against local politicians, police officers, firefighters and other figures to raise money to fund scholarships for at-risk youth.
General admission tickets are $20 at the gate or $10 in advance online or at the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce, with table seats for $65 and special VIP seating available.
For more details call the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce office at (847) 526-5580 or visit waucondachamber.org or WaucondaRodeo.com, or find the Wauconda Rodeo on Facebook.