Ride 'em, cowboy: IPRA rodeo rolls into Wauconda
The 46th Annual IPRA Championship Rodeo returns to the Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds on Route 12 in Wauconda this weekend. The event is sponsored by the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Debra Organzaly tells us what you need to know.
Q. What makes this such a fabulous event?
A. The rodeo is part of Americana. Rodeos and cowboys are part of our heritage. Cowboys come from all over the country to compete for a national title. The event appeals to people of all ages and is family oriented. Sunday is Family Day with additional entertainment and activities for kids, like Kids Pony Rides, Kids Rodeo where kids can be in the arena, play games, etc. The rodeo offers more than five hours of entertainment each day. It is an extremely good value for the entire family and a quality competition event for the participants as well.
Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?
A. This is the 46th Annual IPRA Championship Rodeo. The tradition of the rodeo is important and it's obvious from the thousands of attendees that people love it. It has changed over the years with the addition of a tent to keep people out of the heat and to house picnic tables, entertainment, merchandise and food vendors. A new sound system was recently installed to improve the audio quality of the event.
Q. What kind of activities will appeal to kids and families?
A. Sunday is Family Day with a FREE petting zoo, $2 pony rides, a "Kids Rodeo Jamboree," a character artist, face painting, and wild west cowboys. Come early to enjoy a hot lunch and a cool drink under the midway tent. For families, the Budweiser Beer Garden, a moonwalk, rock climbing wall, and merchandise vendors will keep you entertained until the main event!
Registration for the Kids' Rodeo Jamboree begins at 1 p.m. The first 150 children ages 4 to 8 may register for a $2 fee.
Registered children participate in the activities from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The variety of fun events puts the little ones in the main arena for an hour of fun before the rodeo.
Q. What about adults? What does the event offer them?
A. Great entertainment! In addition to the rodeo, back this year by popular demand is entertainment by Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, who will perform for two hours before and after the rodeo on Saturday night.
Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?
A. Food vendors include:
Dairy Queen: ice cream, sundaes, blizzards, Italian ice, frozen novelties; Brother's Ribs: ribs; JJ Twiggs: pizza, Italian beef, Italian sausage; M's Sweets N Tarts: funnel cakes, snow cones; Three Amiga's: tacos, burritos, tamales, super quesadillas, nachos supreme, fresh fruit.
Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.
A. The Wauconda Chamber of Commerce organizes the event along with Chamber members and Village of Wauconda. Event co-chairs are Rosanne Hansen and Jim Schwantz. A portion of the net proceeds are donated to the Wauconda Park District and used to improve the rodeo grounds.
<p class="factboxheadblack">46th Annual IPRA Championship Rodeo</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> Saturday, July 10, gates open at 5 p.m., rodeo at 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 11, gates open at 1 p.m., rodeo at 3 p.m.</p> <p class="News"><b>Where: </b>Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds, Route 12 at Case Road in Wauconda</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Advance tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 10. At the gate, tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 10. Tickets can be ordered at waucondarodeo.com.</p> <p class="News"><b>More info:</b> Visit <a href="http://www.waucondarodeo.com" target="new">waucondarodeo.com</a> or call the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce at (847) 526-5580.</p>