Chutes open for annual youth fair rodeo Thursday

Some 300 cowboys and cowgirls will demonstrate their skills in the 20th Annual Vernon County Youth Fair Board Rodeo at 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Vernon County fairgrounds Centennial Park Arena.

Sanctioned by the American Cowboys Rodeo and Missouri Rodeo Cowboys associations, the event will also feature Saturday night crownings of the rodeo princess and queen.

Advance tickets are available for $6 for adults and $3 for children 7-12 from queen candidates Jaynee Beaty at (417) 876-7829 and Susie Hartman at (417) 321-9904. Admission at the gate will be $8 for adults and $3 for children.

Fair board spokeswoman Vickie Erwin said Tuesday that events will include steer wrestling, bull riding, bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and team roping. "There'll be a lot of team ropers Thursday night and over 40 calf ropers all three nights," Erwin said.

Advance tickets are also available from princess candidates Emily Peterson at (417) 434-4762, Katrina Snyder at (417) 876-3150, Katie Vandenberg at (417) 484-3258 and Cara Comstock at (417) 321-4046.

The stock is being provided by Barnes & Sons Rodeo Co. of Tahlequah, Okla.