Saddle up for the rodeo weekend

EDIE ZUVANICH Specially for the press

From Thursday to Saturday there is another opportunity to have fun in Taylor.

The 74th annual Taylor Rodeo, organized by the Taylor Rodeo Association, will be held July 18-20 at the Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail. The event is widely regarded as one of the top rodeos in the multi-state region covered by the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association.

“It’s one of the biggest and best small-town rodeos in the world,” said Tim Sims, president of the Taylor Rodeo Association. “It gets better every year.”

The fun begins Thursday night with the second annual First Responder Wild Steer Saddling Championship. The event showcases the courage and skill of first responders.

Thursday night is dedicated to honoring military personnel and first responders. Admission with valid military or first responder identification.

This year’s event will feature live music before the competitions begin, and the best regional bands will play for the post-rodeo dance. Friday’s headliner is Kenny Orts & No Chance playing Texas dancehall music.

Teachers, administrators and anyone who works at a school can enter for free with their school pass.

Friday night will also be dedicated to supporting future generations, as $50,000 in scholarships will be awarded to students from Williamson, Lee and Milam counties. Sims said that, including the scholarships, the association gives $90,000 to $100,000 each year to fundraising efforts in the region.

“This rodeo is a total community effort on our part. We have so much help that it would be impossible to do without the help that we get from our sponsors and the (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H kids that come out and help us,” Sims said. “I don’t know how we would do it without them, honestly.”

Saturday night a new rodeo queen will be named and Terry Hughes and the Debonaires will perform live on stage.

Young cowboys and cowgirls get a chance to show off their rodeo skills during the popular mutton bustin’ event, which also includes a calf scramble. Adults can test their skills by saddling wild bulls.