Published: May 06, 2008 09:59 am         

Time to rodeo up

More than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls are set to take part in the 71st Annual Palo Pinto County Livestock Association Pro Rodeo that begins Tuesday evening at the PPCLA Rodeo Arena.

Advance tickets at a $2 discount will remain on sale through Monday at various outlets throughout Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County and in Weatherford. Check today's “At-a-Glance” listings on page 3A for those locations.

Admission for Tuesday's slack night events is $2. The action gets under way at 4 p.m.

Tickets at the gate Wednesday through Saturday are $12 for adults and $7 for children. The action will start at 8 p.m. each night.

On Wednesday, the annual trial ride from Weatherford to Mineral Wells begins at 8 a.m. at the Parker County Sheriff's Posse grounds. Sponsored by the Parker County Sheriff's Posse, this year will mark the 43rd year of the 18-mile ride that features a free noon lunch in Millsap.

All riders under 18 years of age must have a signed release form to ride. The forms are available from posse members or at the posse grounds that morning. Be early to get them signed as the ride departs promptly at 8 a.m.

After lunch, those who continue will ride to Mineral Wells and are able to ride in the downtown parade. Some also ride in the grand entry of the rodeo's opening night. Grand entry riders receive a pass to the rodeo for that night and must enter through the south gate and park on the south grounds across from Wal-Mart.

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday and follow the same route as previous years, beginning at the train depot and going north on S.E. 1st Avenue, turning east onto S.E. 1st Street before turning onto S.E. 4th Avenue and heading west on East Hubbard Street. The route will then turn at the Baker Hotel and go north, proceeding past the historic post office, across North Oak Avenue and around the Crazy Water Retirement Hotel before making its final stretch down Oak Avenue, ending back at the old train depot.

There will be special events each night of the rodeo, including nightly calf scrambles. There will also be Mutton Bustin' performances and local team roping competitions as well. Leon Coffee will once again lead the team of arena bullfighters in protecting the riders and entertaining the crowds while popular rodeo announcer Doug Mathis will again call the action in the arena.

Friday night's festivities include a dance from 10 p.m. to1 a.m. with the Western Union Band at the Expo Center on the PPCLA Rodeo Grounds; admission is $8 per person and $12 per couple.

Saturday will include the traditional grand finale and crowning of the 2008 rodeo queen.