Jamboree brings season's first rodeo

Those who come to the Woodchoppers Jamboree rodeo this weekend are in for a real wild-west, roping and riding experience.

Different events for the rodeo, which is sanctioned by the Wyoming Rodeo Association, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. All events take place at the Lions Club Arena between Encampment and Riverside.

Rodeo spectators can watch events like team roping, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, bareback riding and “Lions Pride Ranch” bronc riding. The newest open event is the Judy Saulcy Memorial Barrel Racing event, which began last year in honor of the late longtime Encampment resident and community advocate Judy Saulcy.

A $400 added purse is included for each rodeo event. Beforehand is a barbecue sponsored by A Bar A Ranch and River Ridge Cabins, which is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Rodeo chairman Jerry Kraft said he expects another good crowd turnout, including rodeo lovers from across the country.

“We’ve had about 1,200 to 1,500 people come out during both days in the past, and we do get some weird addresses out here,” he said. “The rodeo has been around for about 50 years, and we’ll have the same events as last year. We’ll also have a good mix of adults and kids in the rodeo.”

A cost of $7 gets you in the door for the rodeo and Jamboree, and children younger than 12 enter for free. For more information about the rodeo, call Jerry Kraft at 307-327-5374.