Cattlemen Days Rodeo | 98.3 The Dove

Several thousand people will be in southern Boone County’s Ashland tonight and tomorrow night for the Cattlemen Days rodeo (2022 file photo courtesy of rodeo organizer Chelsea Wren)

Big crowds are expected tonight and Saturday night in mid-Missouri’s Ashland, for the 50^th annual Cattlemen Days rodeo.

It’s been a tradition in southern Boone County since 1973. The rodeo begins tonight and Saturday night at 8. You’ll see cowboys and cowgirls competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and other events. Tickets are $18 for tonight and $20 for tomorrow night, and organizers remind you that this is a cash-only event.

Rodeo organizers also remind you that you must stay off the fence during rodeo performances. One warning will be issued, and if it happens again, organizers say you’ll be escorted from the grounds.

Rodeo enthusiasts describe the sport as the “greatest sport on dirt.” Tomorrow morning’s Cattlemen Days rodeo parade begins at 9 at the Ashland Optimist building. The Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the parade.

The popular Cattlemen Days rodeo is tonight and tomorrow night in Ashland (August 26, 2022 photo courtesy of rodeo spokeswoman Chelsea Wren)

Rodeo enthusiasts from across rural Missouri will travel to Ashland for the popular Cattlemen Days rodeo, which is tonight (Friday) and tomorrow evening.

The event has been an Ashland tradition for 49 years, dating to 1973.

Safety is the rodeo’s top priority. Rodeo committee chairman Bruce Glascock is urging you to stay off the fence during rodeo performances.

“We’ve had problems with kids on the fence and their arms and legs hanging through. And it’s just kind of a liability issue,” Glascock says.

One warning will be issued if you’re on the fence during a performance, and there will not be a second warning. Ashland Police and rodeo officials will remove you from the arena.

Glascock tells 939 the Eagle that the event funds numerous Ashland-area programs.

Only one warning will be issued if you get on this fence during the Cattlemen Days rodeo in Ashland (August 26, 2022 photo courtesy of rodeo spokeswoman Chelsea Wren)

“Well it’s supported all (of) the youth programs that the Optimists are involved in. Soccer, baseball, boy scouts, girl scouts, over the years. So it’s a big fundraiser for us,” says Glascock.

Tickets are $15 at the gate, while children ages 6-11 are $10. Children five and under are free.

The Cattlemen Days rodeo parade is Saturday afternoon at 2 at the Ashland Optimist building. Rodeo fans describe it as the greatest sport on dirt.

Cattlemen Day’s rodeo in Ashland celebrating 50 years; expect big traffic tonight and tomorrow

7,000 to 8,000 rodeo fans expected in Ashland tonight and Saturday