Submitted photo The Gerry Rodeo Committee is making plans for next summer’s 76th annual PRCA rodeo. Seated (L-R): Ken Asel, David Hall, Paul Cooley, Faith Atwell with baby Ari. Standing (L-R): Cindy Scarborough, Sharon Atwell, Jean Sharp, Tom Atwell, Lori Johnson, Paul Atwell, Dennis Bartholomew, Jesse Atwell. Missing: Cherin Mehs, Bruce Gustafson.

GERRY – The Gerry Rodeo Committee is already making plans for next summer’s 76th consecutive rodeo, scheduled for four nights, August 5-8, following one of their most successful rodeos in recent years, an event which drew a very positive evaluation from the crew of PRCA judges.

This year’s rodeo drew approximately 10,000 fans who crowded the arena for the four-night event to watch more than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls from 32 states and Canada compete for nearly $60,000 in prize money. In addition, chef Bruce Gustafson reports that his staff served a record 3400 barbeque beef dinners.

The three-man crew of judges, who are assigned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in Colorado Springs, evaluate all aspects of the rodeo in addition to their scoring and timing duties. They do a safety inspection of the arena, assure that a veterinarian is on duty for each performance, and check to see that the animals are treated properly. They have the authority to suspend anyone who mistreats any animals or does not comply with the PRCA rules regarding conduct.

In his recent report, the judging crew chief, Cliff Overstreet, termed the rodeo “an exciting event”, with the stock contractor, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, providing “good bucking stock and healthy cattle for the roping and steer wrestling competition”. He praised the work of the rodeo committee and the excellent condition of the arena. He closed his report by adding that the judging crew looks forward to coming back to Gerry.

Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell says the committee is very pleased with the results of this 75th year celebration, but that none of the success would have been possible without the approximately 150 dedicated volunteers and the many loyal sponsors. The presenting major sponsors were Universal Media Inc., Don Young and Anne Young, Cinch Jeans, and Dave Warren Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

Other partners were FSC Systems, Heritage Ministries, LandPro Equipment, Jamestown Macadam, Moonlight Electric, Pendleton Whiskey, Country Fair Stores, Maple Springs Tree Service, Tractor Supply Co., Homestead Stables, Pepsi Cola of Jamestown, Altmeyer’s Western Wear, Whiskey Hill Saloon, Falconer Gutter Supply, UPMC Chautauqua WCA, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, 360 Graphics, Anderson Cleaners, Wegman’s, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Tops Friendly Markets, Chautauqua Aircraft Sales, Casella Waste Systems, Maplevale Farms, and Jutten Marketing and Events.

All proceeds from this rodeo go benefit the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department in their efforts to respond to approximately 300 fire and rescue calls each year. It is now the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi and is one of more than 600 rodeos nationwide sanctioned by the PRCA.

Additional information about this rodeo, including its history, is available on the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org.