Photo by Paul Cooley Young rodeo fans will again have the opportunity to learn the basics of rodeo from pro cowboys at the free Rodeo Camp in Gerry on May 5. Pre-registration is required.

GERRY — Young rodeo fans are advised that the registration deadline for the free PRCA Rodeo Camp to be held at the Gerry Rodeo grounds on Saturday, May 5, is fast approaching. Spaces are limited and registration is due online by April 28.

The camp, sponsored by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, is one of only eight held nationwide and is the only one held in the East. The event is open to anyone eight years old and older, male or female. It is structured for beginners as well as older youth who want to learn more about rodeo through instruction by professional cowboys. Its purpose is to promote rodeo through education and recruitment of young people who may become the next generation of rodeo stars.

The camp will begin in the Conference Center on the rodeo grounds at 9 a.m. regardless of the weather and will conclude at 2 p.m. A free lunch will be provided by sponsors of the Gerry Rodeo for the participants. There will be no live buck-outs.

Registration must be completed online prior to the deadline by going to www.prorodeo.com/prorodeo/rodeo/youth-rodeo or by logging on to the Gerry Rodeo website at www.gerryrodeo.org and clicking on youth rodeo. Anyone having trouble with registration or wanting additional information may call Julie Jutten, the director of the camp, at 528-4729 or Rodeo Chairman Tom Atwell at 969-4488 or Paul Cooley at 985-4215.

The 74th annual professional rodeo in Gerry is set for four performances, Aug. 1-4, with more than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation competing for $45,000 in prize money. This is now the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi with all proceeds benefitting the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department.