Poway Rodeo to kick off three-day run tonight

By: ANDREA MOSS - Staff Writer | Thursday, September 27, 2007 10:23 PM PDT ∞

POWAY ---- Western history, extreme sports excitement and good, old-fashioned fun will arrive in a single package tonight, when the 35th annual Poway Coors Rodeo kicks off a three-day run at the Poway Valley Riders Association arena.

Several thousand people are expected to pack the stands of the arena, at 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, during the event. Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Rodeo spectators generally are drawn by the chance to watch more than 400 professional and amateur cowboys and cowgirls climb atop bucking bulls and broncs, try to wrestle angry steer to the ground, and participate in other heart-pounding events that test contestants' stock-handling skills.

Calf roping, team roping and mutton busting events are some of the calmer events that will be held, although "calmer" is a relative term.

Pure sport for onlookers, the rodeo is always serious business for the competitors, who will be trying to rack up performance-based points that could help them advance in this year's Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit.

More than $28,000 in prize money is also at stake at the local rodeo.

Pro-Rodeo Productions of Poway Inc. has organized the event for years, with proceeds going to community organizations. A volunteer committee always starts planning the next rodeo as soon as one ends, and hundreds of hours are spent on securing sponsors and vendors for the event, arranging for the delivery of stock, preparing the arena and the countless other tasks that need to be done before the rodeo gets under way.

On Thursday, committee Vice Chairwoman Nancy Kirchhofer expressed satisfaction with the way this year's rodeo came together.

"It is just an amazing production," she said, adding that the event offers spectators multiple reasons to attend. "It's just staying in touch with the country's history, and it's a great sport and everybody's happy, and it's very colorful and all that good stuff."

General admission rodeo tickets cost $14 for Friday's performance, $17 on Saturday, and $12 on Sunday, with price breaks for families and children. Preferred, box and VIP seats are also available.

Friday's and Saturday's performances will also be followed by a free barn dance, with Southbound Johnny providing live music.

Call (866) PRO-RODEO or log onto www.powayrodeo.com for information or online ticket purchases.

Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654 or amoss@nctimes.com.

35th annual Poway Coors Rodeo

- What: 35th Annual Poway Coors Rodeo

- When: Today, Saturday and Sunday

- Tickets: General admission rodeo tickets cost $14 for Friday, $17 for Saturday, and $12 for Sunday, with price breaks for families and children. Preferred, box and VIP seats are also available.

- Info: Call (866) PRO-RODEO or visit www.powayrodeo.com

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