Record numbers of entrants will converge on Durant this weekend with the 83rd Annual PRCA Rodeo at the Round Up Club Arena on Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m.
The rodeo will also welcome the return of Country Music Legend Susie McEntire to town as she will perform the National Anthem each evening.
Action each night will include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, steer roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping.
In only its fourth year of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioning, the Durant Rodeo has been recognized as an award-winning PRCA event on the region’s Prairie Circuit.
As of last week that recognition was fully evident with a whopping 52 bull riders and 32 bucking horse riders already entered for the event.
“We’re just trying to figure out how we are going to fit all these riders in the show, which is obviously a good problem to have,” said rodeo announcer and spokesperson West Huggins. “It’s definitely a record number of entries coming in. When we first started talking about PRCA coming to Durant, you knew that the Road to Las Vegas and the National Finals was going to come through Durant. They have increased money payouts each year and tried to reach more contestants.
“The hospitality is incredible in Durant. And it’s hard to find that type of hometown entertainment for $15 per person. You can just see how big this thing is getting year after year. I’m excited about hearing Susie McEntire with the National Anthem because there is no prettier anthem than a McEntire anthem. There are people and businesses that want to be part of this rodeo. Durant has gone above and beyond with new things every year and you can expect that again this weekend.”
While West Huggins will again man the announcer’s microphone, Walker Huggins returns as the sound man this year.
Durant native Danny Reagan will also be back in town for the rodeo providing stock through his United Pro Rodeo Company as well as adding to the event production. He has been responsible for providing stock for the National Finals Rodeo for many years.
Tickets for the event are $15. Advanced reduced-price tickets are available at Kopper Kettle, Durant Chamber of Commerce, Bokchito Tag Office and Frost Ranch Wear in Atoka or by going to www.durantrodeo. com.