Cowboy hats, a hilarious rodeo clown and bull riding were a few of many reasons why the stands stayed packed this past weekend at the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center during the 44th annual Bowling Green Lone Star Rodeo.
Lone Star Rodeo has brought the “authentic spirit of rodeo” to communities across the United States for over 75 years, according to the company’s website.
“Founded on a legacy of skill, resilience, and heart, our mission is to celebrate the cowboy way and connect audiences to the true roots of rodeo,” the website said.
The audience watched as rodeo stars competed in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and other events.
Kristian Sparks, 18-year-old competitor, rode saddle bronc at the rodeo on Friday. In bronc riding, a rider must attempt to stay on a bucking horse for eight seconds, using only one hand to hold on, according to ABC Pro Rodeo’s website.
Sparks said this was his first year competing in the Lone Star Rodeo. He said he gets prepared before an event by visualizing himself doing it beforehand.
In between these events, Rodeo Clown “Mighty” Mike Wentworth kept fans entertained with interactive activities, comedy acts and cheesy jokes throughout the night as they waited in anticipation for the bull riding event to cap off the rodeo.
Wentworth helped pick two volunteers from the crowd to compete to be the “fan of the night” at each show. To be the “fan of the night,” each volunteer had to hype up their side of the audience for the entire night.
Each volunteer wore a red or blue cowboy hat to represent their side of the arena. The winner received a swag bag from the Lone Star Rodeo company.
Emily Sutton, WKU Health careers and education specialist, competed in the red cowboy hat and hyped up the crowd with her dance moves on Friday night. Sutton was deemed “fan of the night” at the end of the rodeo.
Sutton said this was her family’s 15th year attending the Bowling Green Lone Star Rodeo. She said her favorite event is bull riding because it’s the most exciting one.
“It’s (the rodeo) a great thing to have here,” Sutton said. “I’m glad we get to have it.”
Wentworth also chose two fathers and sons for another activity in the arena. The fathers had to catch balls thrown by their sons into oversized clown pants they were wearing. The father and son duo that won received Lone Star Rodeo merchandise.
Troy Page and his son, Cruz Page, participated in the father-son event together on Sunday. While Page and his son didn’t win the event, they were still awarded a small prize for their participation.
Page said he brought his seven foster children to the rodeo for their first time and they enjoyed it a lot. He said it was also his first time being chosen for an activity during the rodeo.
“First time I ever got to do that,” Page said. “It was fun.”
Rachel Boyd, behind-the-scenes coordinator at Lone Star Rodeo, manages advertising, ticketing, promotions and logistics for Lone Star Rodeo.
Boyd is a third-generation family member in the Lone Star Rodeo. Her grandfather, Preston Fowlkes Sr., founded the company.
Boyd said her father, Preston Fowlkes Jr., taught her everything she knows about rodeos before he retired. Boyd said this is her family’s 77th year in the rodeo business. Her husband, Bradley Boyd, and their children also support the rodeo whenever possible.
Boyd said the Lone Star Rodeo company looks forward to coming to Bowling Green every year. She said the company has watched the town grow and has seen its accomplishments throughout the years.
“It really feels like coming home for us too,” Boyd said.
Boyd said the company is looking forward to coming back to Bowling Green next year for its 45th annual Lone Star Rodeo. She said the company plans on doing something big for that rodeo.
