(WNY News Now) – GERRY, NY – The excitement is palpable as the first semi-trailer load of broncs and bulls arrived at the Gerry Rodeo grounds. Final preparations are underway for the opening performance of the 79th annual PRCA rodeo, set to kick off on Wednesday. Located five miles north of Jamestown, New York, on Route 60, the event continues for three additional nights, wrapping up on Saturday.
In the next 24 hours, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo will transport over 100 head of stock from their ranch in Lake Luzerne to challenge more than 220 professional cowboys and cowgirls from 35 states. They will compete for $50,000 in prize money.
Meanwhile, crews are setting up chutes and preparing the arena dirt to ensure safety for both animals and competitors. By 5:00 AM on Wednesday, over 1,000 pounds of beef will be cooking over wood fires, ready to serve the first of 3,000 meals over the four evenings.
Each evening’s competition begins at 8:00 PM, featuring all eight traditional rodeo events: bareback and saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding, and the cowgirls’ breakaway roping and barrel racing.
Renowned rodeo announcer Greg Simas will return for his 15th year, narrating the action from horseback. Rodeo clown Brinson James, with his trick roping, dancing skills, and trick dog Reride, promises to entertain the crowds.
Fans can enjoy replays and close-ups of the action on an elevated stadium-style video screen, with coverage also available on the Cowboy Channel app. The famous barbecue beef dinners, a must-have for many fans, will be served all four evenings from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the air-conditioned dining hall. The dinners feature beef cooked for eight hours with a secret sauce, alongside kettle-browned potatoes, corn, tossed salad, cottage cheese, a roll, ice cream, and a beverage.
The midway, opening at 5:00 PM, offers over 20 vendors selling everything from Western wear to fried dough. Children can enjoy pony rides, face painting, and sand art.
Thursday night offers a special ticket price of $10 for military members and first responders with proper ID. Saturday is “Stompin’ Out Breast Cancer” night, encouraging fans to wear pink and support Roswell Park’s breast cancer research.
On Saturday afternoon, kids ages 3-8 can participate in a free kids’ rodeo at 4:00 PM, with registration starting at 3:00 PM. They will engage in rodeo-related games, and the best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl will receive a belt buckle.
Parking is free, with donations benefiting the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department, which also receives all proceeds from the rodeo to support their emergency response efforts. The event is alcohol-free and will proceed rain or shine.
For more information, visit the rodeo website at www.gerryrodeo.org or call (716) 985-4847 or 1-888-985-4847. Tickets are available online or at the ticket booths before each performance, with combination tickets for the rodeo and dinner available at a discounted rate.
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