Silver Spur Rodeo events back in the saddle Friday

Yuma County's celebration of all things rodeo bolts out of the chute Friday, launching a week filled with bucking broncos, cowboys and rodeo queens.

2013 marks the 68th year for the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, a fact that makes organizers sit high in their saddles with pride.

“This is longest-lasting tradition here in Yuma,” said Tina McCash, 2013 rodeo chairwoman. “It feels great that we have been here so long. Rodeo is just good, wholesome fun that's great for the whole family. People just love it. And the cowboys always look forward to having the fans there.”

She added that rodeo fans of the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo should expect a few changes this year, differences ranging from small to major that might just feel a little familiar.

“This year we're bringing back some old traditions, but still changing some things up. We want to keep this rodeo going strong for over 100 years. It's our future.”

Like the rodeo's earlier days, this year's events will begin a week earlier than the main rodeo events. The horsemanship event will be Friday and the parade Saturday.

The parade takes off from the corner of 15th Street and Fourth Avenue at 8:30 a.m. that morning. It will continue north on 4th Avenue, turning on Giss Parkway and ending near the downtown roundabout.

“I know we have quite a few entries,” McCash said. “This year's theme is ‘Horsin' Around.'”

Saturday's festivities will also include the rodeo royalty pageant at 12:30 p.m. in the Yuma County Fairgrounds theater building. Admission of $20 per person will include lunch. Vying for this year's crown are Rebekah Lynne Scott and Sara Lynn Akins, both 18.

Some more traditions returning to the rodeo celebration are the team roping events and evening dances at the Jaycees Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St. (See the accompanying schedule for details).

Country music fans have a special treat in store this year. The rodeo and Cocopah Casino teamed up to bring country star Mark Chesnutt to town Saturday, Feb. 9. A portion of the concert's proceeds will benefit the rodeo.

Gates will open at 7 p.m. for the concert on the casino's event lawn. Opening act Marshal Reign will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

“Mark Chesnutt is really big. He's been around for 30-plus years,” McCash said. “A lot of people are really excited to see him, and ticket sales are doing really well.”

Tickets for Chesnutt's concert are $50 for VIP and $25 for general admission. Children ages 3 and younger may attend free of charge. Those tickets are available through Cocopah Casino.

The Yuma Jaycees are also offering a special pass that includes the concert and four events at the upcoming Silver Spur Rodeo. Those passes are available at the Jaycees Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th. They can also be ordered by calling 344-5451.

The first performance of the rodeo is slated for Friday, Feb. 8, at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, followed by performances over the next two days.

“Families always enjoy coming out to enjoy the sport of rodeo, eat, hang out and meet the cowboys afterward,” McCash said. “You can have the whole afternoon or evening just enjoying the sport of rodeo.”

For more information about events or tickets, call the Yuma Jaycees at 344-5451. Go to YumaRodeo.com for online ticket sales.

Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo schedule

Friday, Feb. 1

• Rodeo royalty judged horsemanship, 9 a.m., Whispering Horse Ranch on Avenue 3E across from Marine Corps Air Station, free to attend

Saturday, Feb. 2

• Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo Parade, 8:30 a.m.

• Rodeo royalty pageant, 12:30 p.m., Yuma County Fairgrounds theater building, $20 per person, includes lunch

• Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo roping event, Yuma County Fairgrounds starting at 1 p.m.

• Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo Dance, Yuma Jaycees Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St., doors open at 8 p.m., Big Joy Wow will take the stage at 9 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 8

• First performance of 68th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, 1 p.m., Yuma County Fairgrounds (senior discount performance)

• Rodeo royalty coronation, 12:30 p.m., Yuma County Fairgrounds

• Second performance of 68th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, 6 p.m., Yuma County Fairgrounds (military performance)

• Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo Dance, Yuma Jaycees Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St., doors open at 8 p.m., Downtime will take the stage at 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9

• Third performance of 68th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, 1 p.m., Yuma County Fairgrounds (Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day)

• Cocopah Casino presents Mark Chestnutt in concert to benefit the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, Cocopah Casino. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Jaycees are selling performance passes for $50, which include all four rodeo performances and a concert ticket

• Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo Dance, Yuma Jaycees Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St., doors open at 8 p.m., Downtime will take the stage at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10

• Fourth performance of 68th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo, 1 p.m., Yuma County Fairgrounds (Ram Rodeo Day)

Click here to view slideshow of previous rodeos.