MINEOLA 性视界传媒 Saddle up, Mineola 性视界传媒 one of the town性视界传媒檚 longest-running traditions is back.
The 62nd annual Mineola Fire Department Rodeo rides into town this weekend with multiple nights of bull riding, barrel racing, and small-town Texas pride. It's more than just summer entertainment 性视界传媒 the rodeo is also the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department性视界传媒檚 biggest fundraiser of the year, helping cover training, continuing education, and equipment needs for the fire department.
性视界传媒淭wo years ago, during the freeze, one of our pumps on one of our trucks froze,性视界传媒 said Capt. Justin Clower. 性视界传媒淪o we kind of helped the city replace one of our fire pumps on our tanker性视界传媒 so the fundraiser helps with those kinds of costs.性视界传媒
The event has deep roots in the community. According to a Texas Historical Marker, the Mineola Fire Department was officially recognized by the city in 1924. Paid volunteers were added in 1954, and about 10 years later, the department organized its first rodeo to raise money.
性视界传媒淗onestly, I don性视界传媒檛 think there性视界传媒檚 anybody around to ask anymore because I think one of the last people who might know the history of it passed away a few years ago,性视界传媒 Clower said. 性视界传媒淏ut my grandfather used to be an assistant chief here at the fire department.性视界传媒
Clower followed in the generational footsteps to become a firefighter himself. 性视界传媒淚性视界传媒檝e always wanted to be a firefighter,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淚 did a kind of ride-out, like a junior-type program whenever I lived in Houston.性视界传媒
Today, the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department is a combination department with four paid firefighters and 19 volunteers. Typically, two paid firefighters are on duty from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to serve as the first response team while volunteers respond as they性视界传媒檙e able.
性视界传媒淭hey can get there quicker and go ahead and get everything running while those of us that are at our regular jobs can finish up whatever we're doing and then drive to the station and grab the second apparatus that we need to take out to whatever type of scene of an emergency it is,性视界传媒 Clower explained.
This year性视界传媒檚 rodeo is sanctioned by the United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA) and continues to attract contestants from across the country and even abroad. 性视界传媒淎 few years ago, we had some bull riders come up from Brazil,性视界传媒 Clower said.
So far, 234 contestants have registered to compete for nearly $11,000 in prize money. Competitors are traveling from across Texas, as well as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and South Dakota. One contestant from Moore Haven, Florida, currently holds the title of No. 1 Women性视界传媒檚 Breakaway Roper.
The rodeo is produced by Flying C Rodeo Company of Madill, Oklahoma, with support from local sponsors who have stuck by the department through good times and hard ones.
性视界传媒淭he community has shown up a lot,性视界传媒 Clower said. 性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 tough going out and selling advertisements to people 性视界传媒斅 they性视界传媒檙e like, 性视界传媒榤an, this is all I can do.性视界传媒 Especially during times like COVID when people didn性视界传媒檛 even know if they were going to be able to keep their doors open for business but they性视界传媒檇 still give what they could性视界传媒 and we性视界传媒檙e thankful for anything that we get, support-wise.性视界传媒
Main performances are Friday and Saturday at the Mineola Fire Department Rodeo Arena on 724 Greenville Highway in Mineola. Gates open early, with performances beginning at 8 p.m. and a Rodeo Royalty Coronation each night at 7:30.
Rodeo events will include barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, break-away roping, saddle bronc, bareback, steer wrestling, and bull riding. Youth competitors in the Junior Barrels (ages 14 and under) must register through the Rodeo Secretary on-site, with the first five entries running in the show.
Cody Gray, a professional rodeo entertainer, will also be performing.
性视界传媒淗e was actually the UPRA Funny Man of the Year last year,性视界传媒 Clower said. 性视界传媒淗e has a car called the Yellow Rose of Texas and it性视界传媒檚 pretty cool. He性视界传媒檒l do tricks with it and it always seems like it goes out of control.性视界传媒
Local vendors will be on-site selling Western wear, boutique items, and collectible knives. Concessions will offer food, drinks, and adult beverages (no outside food or drink is allowed). General admission is $10, with free entry for children age 4 and under.
The rodeo has become a reflection of the town性视界传媒檚 pride in its fire department and the people who serve it.
性视界传媒淭here, it's nothing for us to come back from a call and have Gatorade sitting by the front doorsteps,性视界传媒 Clower said. 性视界传媒淲e did a Gatorade drive a few years ago and every time you turned around, there was just more Gatorade there and water for us, so we get a lot of support from the community.性视界传媒
Last year性视界传媒檚 crowd topped 3,000, especially on Saturday night. Clower recommends getting there early. 性视界传媒淚 tell people to definitely come in early,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淚性视界传媒檇 say get here about 6:30 性视界传媒 that way you can get you something to eat and sit on the west side bleachers so the sun sets to your back.性视界传媒
For more information on the rodeo or how you can support the Mineola Fire Department, visit their Facebook page: .
