Rodeo back in Wauconda

Wauconda Chamber of Commerce officials want familes to know that this weekend, they can have a unique experience without leaving town.

Once again, the rodeo returns this weekend to Wauconda.

"It's something you don't get to see in this area," said Executive Director Debra Ogorzaly. "It's all championship rodeo. It's not an amateur competition."

The 45th annual rodeo will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds in Wauconda. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Top professionals from across the country come to Wauconda to take part in the International Professional Rodeo Association Championship Rodeo. But Ogorzaly said traveling across the country to compete can be difficult due to the cost of gas.

So to continue to attract competitors, Ogorzaly said in addition to other prizes, the first-place winner in each category also will receive an extra $100 gas allowance.

"They have to do this but it is hard on them," Ogorzaly said. "We want to get the top cowboys all here."

The rodeo will open with live music by Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners. There also will be food vendors and a beer garden. There also will be a moonwalk, rock climbing wall and merchandise vendors who will sell cowboy hats and other novelties.

The event will run for about three hours each day. Six competition events are interspersed with variety acts such as trick riding and equestrian drill teams. The main events are bull riding, bare back bronc, saddle bronc, barrel racing, calf roping and steer wrestling.

Sunday will be family day at the rodeo, with a free petting zoo, $2 pony rides, a Kids Jamboree, character artists and photos.

Registration to join the kids jamboree will begin at 1 p.m. The first 100 children ages 4 to 8 may register for a $2 fee. Taking place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., children can twirl a rope, compete in stick pony races and sack races and more. All participants will receive a free cowboy hat and bandanna.

"We give kids a chance to get into the arena like the cowboys do," Ogorzaly said.

After the competition, the rodeo will close with another performance by Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners. The beer garden and food vendors will remain open.

Ogorzaly said the chamber is proud to offer an event that has grown each year because of added attractions such as the kids jamboree and offering reasonable entertainment that not only children but also adults are excited to come see.

"They may be the vacation for some. We invite them to come to Wauconda to enjoy a nice family event," she said.

If you go ...

The 45th annual rodeo will take place Saturday and Sunday at Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds on Route 12 at Case Road in Wauconda.

SATURDAY

5 p.m. Gates open; beer garden and food vendors open

7 p.m. Rodeo begins, including six competition events

10 p.m. Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners perform.

SUNDAY

1 p.m. Gates open; beer garden and food vendors open

1:30 p.m. Kid's jamboree

3 p.m. Rodeo begins

6 p.m. Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners perform.

Food vendors will include Dairy Queen, Duke's, JJ Twiggs, M's Sweets N Tarts and Three Amigas.