WELCOME BACK TO THE 2023 CARBONDALE WILD WEST RODEO SERIES!
The Rodeo is now in its 18th season and promises to be as fun and exciting as ever! Lots of great rodeo action, good food and good friends are at the rodeo every Thursday night all summer. Last season we had some of our biggest crowds ever and a few rainy, muddy nights as well, just because a rodeo in the mud is so much fun!
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, we will be offering a $2,000 scholarship to a deserving contestant or volunteer for use in a college or trade school. Watch for application details on the CWWRA web site. We will also be presenting a new saddle at the end of the season to the top money winner in two events or more (All-Around Winner).
Lots of changes this year, mostly driven by the large crowds we have been getting the last few years. Watch for details or check the web site. These include the following: Due to rising costs, we are forced to increase ticket price (first time since 2011) from $10 to $15 per person. We also will be charging an on-site parking fee of $10 per vehicle. We hope this will help encourage folks to RIDE THE FREE SHUTTLE BUSES FROM TOWN this year for the first time ever. There will be NO PARKING on County Road 100 this year and LIMITED PARKING in the neighborhood nearby (by order of Sheriff Dept). The parking around the arena will increase to $50 and may include on-line sign ups (rather than a waiting line) so watch for details. Lastly, “bring your own alcohol” will no longer be allowed and alcohol will be sold on site (by order of Sheriff Dept and Town Police Dept), in order to be better controlled. We realize change can be difficult, but sometimes there is no choice and we believe everyone will adapt and enjoy the Rodeo!
As always, there are a lot of people to thank! First a big thank you to our sponsors. Without the sponsorship of numerous businesses and individuals, we would not have the financial ability to do this. New sponsors are always welcome, so if you are looking for a great way to advertise and support the rodeo at the same time, please talk to us. We urge all the spectators and contestants alike, to support these sponsors who support the CWWRA! We would also like to thank the contestants young and old, who show up week after week and compete, putting on a great show for everyone to enjoy. Next, we would like to thank you ……. the spectators who support the rodeo with your presence, week after week, rain or shine. We love your enthusiasm for the sport of rodeo and we hope that you enjoy the rodeo series we all have worked hard to produce. Last and certainly not least, we would like to thank the volunteers who show up every week and help make this rodeo happen. Without these volunteers (in the red shirts), we could not produce this rodeo series week after week. So if you see one of these dedicated people, please tell them “thank you”. They will appreciate that you noticed!
The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Association (CWWRA) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation dedicated to keeping the Western Heritage alive in Carbondale. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors who spend countless hours planning and producing the Rodeo Series with no financial compensation. The Board sincerely hopes you enjoy the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo! If you have questions, please feel free to ask one of the volunteers or stop by the Secretary’s shed and someone will assist you.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to a great 2023 Rodeo Season!
Sincerely,
Mike Kennedy, President