Celebrating 35 years of Ramona Rodeo

With nearly 300 professional cowboys heading into town for the 35th Annual Ramona Rodeo, expect dust to fly Thursday through Sunday.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, presented by the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (ROCC), will start with slack in the Fred Grand Arena at 421 Aqua Lane on Thursday at 8 p.m. Admission is free for slack featuring overflow contestants who due to scheduling conflicts are unable to compete in the main events Friday through Sunday.

With “Ramona ROCCs the Wild West” as the weekend’s overall theme, be prepared for lots of action as contestants vie for high points in this rough-and-tumble sport patterned after ranch life and celebrating a way of life that many still cherish.

Each day has a different theme: Friday is 35th Birthday Celebration, Saturday is the Proud to be an American tribute, and Sunday is Family Fun Day.

Mutton Bustin’ for youngsters ages 5 to 7 will be on Friday; junior barrel racing and a free dance are on Saturday’s agenda; and the first 100 children age 11 and younger through the gates with a paid adult on Sunday will receive a free cowboy hat.

Each performance includes PRCA steer wrestling, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Friday and Saturday rodeos will start at 8 p.m. with gates opening at 6:30. Sunday’s show will start at 4 p.m. with gates opening at 2:30.

General admission on Friday is $15, with children ages 6 to 12 admitted for $5. Preferred seating for all ages is $20.

General admission Saturday is $20, and preferred seating is $30. General admission on Sunday is $10, children’s tickets are $5, and preferred seating is $15.

For another $2 each day, fans will have the opportunity to have their name drawn for the Best Seat at the Rodeo.

Returning as rodeo announcer is Andy Stewart, recognized as one of the best announcers in professional rodeo.

John Payne, 12-time PRCA Specialty Act of the Year, will be in the arena as The One Arm Bandit, and bullfighters Dusty Duba and Joe Butler will have one objective: To keep the bull riders safe. Clinton “Wolfey” Selvester will add humor as rodeo clown and barrelman.

Four-time world champion Luke Branquinho will compete in steer wrestling competition, and another top PRCA contender, Winn Ratliff, will compete for high points in bareback riding.

Among Ramona cowboys on the roster are steer wrestlers Matt Deskovick and Fred Hight and tie-down roper Cameron Elston.

Breaking up the rodeo shows will be the Main Street Parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

For more about the rodeo, see www.ramonarodeo.com