WELCOME RODEO NEWS FANS

Rodeo action continues to benefit organizations

There will be plenty of riding, roping and steer wrestling going on Friday and Saturday night at the 17th Annual Longview PRCA Rodeo.

There will also be plenty of local organizations and individuals benefiting from the year-long planning effort of members of the Greggton Rotary Club.

The rodeo kicks off at 8 p.m. both nights at the Longview Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena and will feature some of the top professional cowgirls and cowboys in North America, said Shirley Hook, publicity chairman for the Rotary Club.

On the surface, the rodeo may appear to be a clash of cowgirls and cowboys with some top-notch livestock.

Below the surface, it's the kind of event that keeps on giving back to the community in thousands of ways, said Mary Ramos, chairman of the event for the Greggton Rotary Club. Last year, $40,000 raised from the event was distributed to nonprofit organizations and in scholarships awarded to local students, she said.

"We expect this year's rodeo to be bigger than ever — our sponsorships are way up — the highest ever," Ramos said. "That's very encouraging because we're working on building this into a major event in the future."

More than 6,000 people attend the rodeo over the two nights as some of the top professional participants from across the United States and Canada arrive in Longview trying to earn points that could help them reach the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas at the end of the year.

Ramos said about 400 contestants are expected to participate.

"And almost 100 percent of the ticket price goes back to the community because of our sponsorships," she said.

While the thrill of rodeo action will last only two days, the event's benefit will continue trickling down for months to come, Hook said.

"Over the past 16 years, over $260,000 has been given back to our community from this rodeo," she said. "The fact Longview is able to host a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association rodeo is quite an honor."

Hook said the Rotary Club has to apply for a contract with PRCA, pay membership fees to that organization and the Women's Professional Rodeo Association.

"There are only a certain number of cities that are allowed this privilege," she said. The event costs more than $50,000 to put on, she said.

Ramos estimated club's 100 members put in more than 10,000 hours a year in planning and organizing the event.

With last year's proceeds the club funded $8,000 worth of local scholarships and made donations to nonprofit groups like Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center, East Texas Literacy Council, Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County, Camp Fire, Crisman Prep School and Buckner Benevolent Programs.

Read more at the www.news-journal.com