Little Boots Rodeo turns kids into cowboys and cowgirls

The founder of the Little Boots Rodeo in Elk Grove Village, which is geared to families with younger children, said he expects upward of 4,000 people to attend the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 27-28.

The weather is supposed to be perfect this weekend, said Jack Groat, the founder and organizer of the event at Arlington Heights Road and Devon Avenue, which is in its eighth year.

For the rodeo, families help their children participate in 14 events in a noncompetitive atmosphere. After completing all events, children are certified as an official cowboy or cowgirl on stage and get a certificate. Punch cards are $12 a child and include a hot dog and drink as well as the certificates.

Rodeo events include Qwacky Track, Marble Madness, cow milking, Pick-a-Star, Sandy Candy, Pick-a-Pearl, corn stripping, chicken toss, bow and arrow, jaws, panning for gold, ant eater, pig puzzle and dinosaur breath.

General public and family events include Panning for Gold, Buffalo & Brady's Magical Musical Show, raffle, bronco riding, face painting, large petting zoo, lasso and jail. Events costing $2 a person are wagon rides, mechanical bull, pony rides and Little Boots railroad. Events costing $3 are camel rides and bungee fun.

Trophies are given each hour for Best Dressed Cowgirl and Cowboy.

Events Groat is most excited about include the chance to smell dinosaur breath, an event where participants win a bag of marbles, an event where participants get a real shark's tooth and an event where children find pearls in oysters.

Rodeo proceeds benefit the District 59 Education Foundation, the Elk Grove Farmers Market, the Lion's, Lioness, Leo Clubs of Elk Grove Village and the Kenneth Young Center. Each child is asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donated to one of Elk Grove's food banks.

For more information, go to www.littlebootsrodeo.org, or call (630) 766-8980, or (630) 878-7627.