MARBLE FALLS — There’s nothing like a good rodeo if you’re hungry for some action, which means the Charlie Taylor Arena is the place to be July 16-17.
And yes, there will be mutton bustin’.
“Oh, yeah, we’ll have mutton bustin’ again,” said Mike Dyer of the Marble Falls Rodeo Association. “And the gentlemen’s steer-saddling competition is also back. It’s probably one of the most popular events.”
Riding sheep and riding steers are just two of the big events. And “excitement” is all part of the plan once again this year, organizers said.
The 54th Marble Falls Rodeo draws contestants locally, regionally and statewide as they compete for cash in the rough stock and timed events.
But it’s the fans who really make the event worthwhile, Dyer said.
“I think one of the things that makes this rodeo so dang popular is the people in the stands really get excited about it,” he said. “We draw lots of people from right here in Marble Falls and the Burnet County area, but we also get a lot of people coming over from Austin and San Antonio. Part of that is because this is such a great rodeo.”
The arena is located on U.S. 281 about two miles south of the city.
The Marble Falls rodeo also includes bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and calf roping, but adds several events children and even adults in the stands can participate in.
Probably one of the most talked about and most anticipated event for the kids is mutton bustin’. During this rough-and-tumble ride, youngsters ages 4-6 crawl on the back of a sheep while the critters are corralled in the chutes. Then, after the kids are mounted up, the rodeo hands throw open the gates and the fun begins.
“It’s definitely something to see,” Dyer said. “Kids and sheep are going all over the place.”
Some children only make it a hop or a jump out of the gate, while others manage to cling to their sheep for a minute or two. Those staying on the longest win.
Once again the Marble Falls Rodeo Association is holding pre-registration for mutton bustin’.
“It’s really the only way kids can sign up,” Dyer said. The rodeo will feature 24 riders each night, so he said parents need to make sure they register their children soon.
Hill Country Pediatric Dentistry, 608 Gateway Central, is sponsoring the event and that’s where parents can register their children. Forms are available online at www.marblefallsrodeo.org.
There will also be the calf scramble where children pile into the arena and try tying ribbons to various young bovines.
Adults aren’t left out of the mix. The gentlemen’s steer-saddling contest will be held both nights.
During this event, a team of three men, women or a mix try to not only handle a steer (one that’s not exactly used to being handled), but they must also saddle the creature and then one of the team members must ride it over the finish line.
“It’s really fun to watch,” Dyer said. “I’m not sure I’d want to participate in it myself, but it’s still fun to watch.”
In past years, the steer-saddling contest not only took place during the rodeo performance, but due to the popularity of the event, organizers held a few heats afterwards.
Along with the ticket price July 16, rodeo fans can attend a dance featuring Michael Myers following the performance.
Fans will also find an assortment of food, beverages and vendors on the rodeo grounds.
The annual rodeo parade hits Main Street at 10 a.m. on July 17.
