Kevin Cederstrom
Cinch up the saddle folks, we're in for a wildly entertaining time June 23-24. The 4th Annual New York Mills Rough Ride Rodeo will once again be in action at the airport that weekend, with Friday and Saturday performances both beginning at 6:30 p.m. Rodeo fans are encouraged to get to the grounds early and take advantage of the many food vendors and activities prior to the start.
Back by popular demand this year will be the Rough Ride Chili Cook-off before Saturday's performance. Last year about 10 local chili experts put together their favorite recipes for judging and for public taste-testing.
This year the contest is limited to the first 10 chili chefs to sign and entrants must pre-register. To get signed up contact Sue at 639-3862.
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Set up will be 4-5 p.m. on Saturday, with the public tasting and judging from 5-6:30 p.m. The six official and impartial judges will taste the chili at 5:30 p.m. The winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m. during the rodeo. Winners will recieve Mills Marks.
Also back to this year's Rough Ride is the cow saddling contest to be held both nights. There will be four teams, consisting of three people per team, competing each night. Teams must sign up the night of the contest. Last year was the first year the event was added to the lineup, and judging by the crowd's reaction, provided good entertainment as the real cowboys took a break. During last year's contest some local fireman "competed" (and we use that term very loosely) with other teams from the crowd.
The real cowboys and cowgirls will compete in barrel racing, saddle bronc, calf roping, team roping, bareback riding, bull riding, breakaway roping and steer roping. Kids events include the calf scramble and mutton busting.
Wild Nights karaoke will provide entertainment following the rodeo both nights.
Ticket prices are $10 in advance and $12 at the gate. Children under 4 get in free. Tickets are available at: All County Insurance, Mills Lanes, Heart of the Lakes Credit Union, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, The Bake Shoppe, Howie's Clothing, NY Mills Family Spine Clinic, and Designs by Tes.
For more information call 639-3862.
