University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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I ' . ' i ' .. 2 ' ft ;-, The annual parade on Emma Street July 1 st kicked off the 43rd annual Rodeo of the Ozarks. Marching bands, mounted cowboys and cowgirls, rodeo dignitaries, floats, riding clubs, politicians and rodeo queens began the parade at 3:00 p.m. Stagecoach rides were a popular attraction during the Rodeo of the Ozarks. The one pictured is the authentic Butterfield Stage which ran along the Butterfield Route which stretched from Tipton, Mo. to San Francisco. George Mesimer, a bronc rider from Morton, Tenn., checks his equipment bronc before riding in the Rodeo of the Ozarks. Bronc riding is the most traditional event of the rodeo. The rider can only hold on to the rein with one hand while the horse bucks. Photos courtesy of the Springdale News . Rodeo of the Ozarks 1 1

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The 43rd Annual Rodeo ijj, of the Ozarks A Good Old Time! ee haw! To many, the Fourth of July means picnics, fireworks, and potato salad. But ask any resident in Springdale, Ark., July 4th means only one thing: The Rodeo of the Ozarks. This summer, Springdale celebrated the 43rd Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks from July 1st to July 4th. Cowboys and cowgirls from all over competed in various events such as bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, and calf roping to name a few. The event was kicked off on July 1 st with a parade along Emma Avenue through downtown Springdale with marching Okla. to complete her physical therapy degree. Spectators who arrived early got a chance to see the Green Beret Parachute Team from Fort Bragg, N.C. drop in , literally, during the pre-rodeo activities at Parsons Stadium. They also got to view the annual Arkansas Oklahoma Pony Wagon Races as well as a junior grand entry parade. The rodeo itself began at 8:00 p.m. each night with a colorful assembly of mounted cowboys and cowgirls, costumed rodeo queens, pageant officials, bands, floats, and riding clubs. Some of the main features included appearances by Suzy Gillard, Miss Rodeo America, and Marilyn Matheson, Miss Rodeo Australia. Former UA student Kelly Phillips, Miss Rodeo Arkansas, made a special appearance. She attended Metro College at Tulsa, and clowns. Peaking the Rodeo of the Ozarks was the naming of the new rodeo queens. Karen Ozymy from Magnolia succeeded Kelly Phillips as Miss Rodeo Arkansas. Melanie Gipson from Pryor, Okla. was chosen as Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks. Needless to say, the 43rd Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks was a success and rodeo fans all over can look forward to many more rodeos to come. David Burnham takes a moment to pose before clowning it up at the Rodeo of the Ozarks. Burnham ' s antics, such as bullfighting, are entertaining as well as beneficial because it protects the cowboys and cowgirls from any bull that happens to get out of hand. Photo courtesty of the Springdale News . 10 RAZORBACK JULY-AUGUST

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Tom Reeves, from Eagle Butte, S.D., hangs on for dear life during the bronc riding competition at the Rodeo of the Ozarks. Bronc riding is one of the most favorite events among rodeo fans. Phil Gardenhire was the new voice of the Rodeo of the Ozarks. The veteran announcer from Heaven, Okla., called the action from his post on top of the stands during the four-night show. The Old Fort Days Coca Cola Dandies, a precision riding group made up of high school girls from western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma made two appearances during the Rodeo of the Ozarks and the final parade on July 4. Thurman Shorty Parsons, president of the 1987 board members of the Rodeo of the Ozarks Board of Directors, looks over the cattle before the event begins. He is responsible for the planning of the rodeo activities every year. 12 RAZORBACK JULY-AUGUST