It’s a comeback story that makes Bristow proud, this is the year to bring back the town festival and link it once again to the annual rodeo in order to host an overall Western Heritage Days celebration similar to former glory years. And that’s what happened August 20-22 as Main Street (Route 66) hosted a parade and fun activities on Saturday and the Leon Pinson Sports Complex was home for the rodeo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A re-vitalized Western Heritage Committee with Kevin and Susan Banks, Chris Matthews, Melanie Cassady, the Varner family, and other volunteers, led by Kristin Weaver, made their wish a reality. During a three-month sprint, they fanned out and contacted tens of businesses and nonprofit organizations to be sponsors. They planned the rodeo and ensured it was sanctioned by the American Cowboy Rodeo Association (ACRA) and International Professional Rodeo Association (ACRA). And called on friends and neighbors to provide music, parade entries, and lots more to put on a good event.
The rodeo, organized by Bristow’s Round-Up Club, opened the festival Friday night, offering Saddle Bronc Riding, steer and calf roping and tie down, Ranch Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding. Three hundred spectators enjoyed hard ridin’ and ropin’ by rodeo cowboys and cowgirls of all ages.
Justin Palmer and Susan Banks, Vice-President and Playdate Director of the non-profit Round-Up Club, respectfully, are proud of what they do for children and the rodeo each year. “We were rodeo of the year last year,” said Banks. They said ACRA awarded them the title because of three things: “Hard work. New members. New board.” They appreciate about $8,500 donated from many of the 40 sponsors to achieve the club’s mission to teach families to ride in rodeo events. Palmer added, “We put this rodeo on every year to pay for awards for the kids that come and participate in the play days all year long. They get awards and we do it all for the kids' sake.”
On Saturday morning, it was downtown’s turn to show off. Boy Scout Troop 571 led the parade, followed by Bristow’s City Hall, Muskogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill, State Senator James Leewright, State Representative Kyle Hilbert, Bristow’s Round-Up Club, and a long line of tractors, buggies, and more – 29 entries in all. Kristin Weaver was pleased. “I think the parade went really well. We had a good turn-out of fans and we had a nice variety of parade entries.” Weaver thanked nine major donors, like Mariner Ford and Rotary Club, who donated money to make the activities free and provide prizes.
Shoppers roamed Main Street until 3 o’clock to buy a variety of merchandise from 35 vendors. Children had their faces painted by Betty Pfeifer of Bristow; they fed and rode animals at Mary-Sue’s Mobile Petting Zoo of Haskell; and played on giant inflatable Bounce Houses and Slides. Georgia Smith, at Bristow’s History Museum (train depot), explained the town’s history to visitors. There was plenty to do before the rodeo started that evening.
Soon after the rodeo started, so did thunder, lightning and driving rain. Everything stopped until Sunday.
The next morning, events resumed – the Round-Up Club had a rodeo to finish! Although some contestants left during the night, those who stayed tried to top Friday night’s scores. Youngsters rode sheep (Mutton Busting) and a few took home farm animals (Critter Race). By 11 o’clock, though, everyone who wanted to compete did, and Bristow’s rodeo could proudly point to another good year.
Thanks to good volunteers and donors, Bristow’s Western Heritage Days festival is “back in the saddle again.” What lies ahead? Weaver said, “We hope that the festival will grow.” Cassady added that everyone wants “…to bring back Western Heritage Days back to its former glory.” This year’s festival was a good start.