Gerry Rodeo chairman named to national committees
Special to the OBSERVER
GERRY - Tom Atwell, the chairman of the Gerry Fire Department's rodeo committee, has been named to two national committees in the sport of professional rodeo. Atwell, who is a third generation Gerry fireman, is in his fifth year as the head of the local rodeo planning group.
Keith Martin, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association based in Colorado Springs, has appointed Atwell to serve on the group's National Rodeo Executive Council Advisory Committee. Its function is to bring the concerns of smaller rodeos across the country to the board. It meets monthly via a conference call and will convene as a group in Waco, Texas, in November.
Atwell has also been appointed as the only representative east of the Mississippi on the Association of Rodeo Committees, an independent rodeo advisory group whose function is to give a voice to smaller rodeos by making recommendations regarding rules and policies to the PRCA. This group also meets by conference call quarterly and will convene in Omaha, Nebraska, in September.
Atwell, who is busy overseeing plans for this year's 65th consecutive annual rodeo which opens Aug. 5, said these honors come because of the hard work of the Fire Department's members and other community residents over the years. He said planning for the rodeo is a year-round job, beginning with cleanup the day following the close of the rodeo to the many committee meetings and work nights of preparation. All proceeds go to support the volunteer fire department which answers 350 fire and rescue calls each year.
Opening night for this year's six performance event is set for Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. in the lighted arena six miles north of Jamestown on Route 60. Nightly shows follow Thursday through Saturday with afternoon matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The famous beef barbeque dinners are served at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday in the newly remodeled and air conditioned dining hall.
The rodeo stock contractor for the 20th year is the Barnes Rodeo Company of Cherokee, Iowa, one of the top stock contractors in the country. About 125 professional cowboys and cowgirls will be competing for $30,000 in prize money in the seven traditional rodeo events - bareback and saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding.
In addition there are specialty acts, clowns, and bull fighters, along with "mutton bustin" and a calf scramble for the kids. A lighted midway with more than 20 vendors tops off the event.
Like pro football, the rodeo goes on rain or shine so Chairman Atwell urges rodeo fans to "come out and have a great time regardless of the weather".
Additional information is available at the rodeo Web site www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 985-4847 or toll free at 1-888-985-4847.
