Wauconda rodeo returns with charity boxing tournament

Saddle up for some good ol' rodeo fun.

The 53rd annual IPRA Championship Rodeo returns to Wauconda for two days of fun for the entire family.

While the actual IPRA Championship Rodeo is Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, at the Golden Oaks Equestrian Center, gates open Friday, July 15, for the first Friday Night Fights. The boxing tournament, organized by the Lake County Athletic and Boxing Club, will pit "average Joe" volunteers against local politicians, police officers, firefighters and other figures. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the fights will begin at 7 p.m.

The money raised will fund scholarships for at-risk youth.

Festivities for the IPRA Championship Rodeo begin Saturday at 7 p.m. but the gates open at 5 p.m. when attendees can try their hand at riding a mechanical bull and kids can bounce around in the moonwalk. Rodeo performances include routines by the Midwest Renegade Equestrian Drill Team, rodeo clowns, trick riders mixed in with the six rodeo competition events of saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, cowgirl barrel racing, steer roping and tie-down roping.

Live music by a DJ and country band Sixes & Sevens will be performed before and after the rodeo.

On Sunday, gates will open at 1 p.m. for family day. Children can enjoy a free petting zoo, $3 pony rides and a moonwalk. Food booths will be available to serve ice cream, pizza, barbecue and other treats. Adults can enjoy visit the beer garden.

Tickets for the Friday Night Fight are $10 for general admission online and $20 at the gate. Table tickets range from $65 to $400. The rodeo tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for children ages 4 and under. Parking is $7 each day.