CENTRAL POINT — While fall, for many, might symbolize pumpkin patches and changing leaves, fairgrounds manager Chris Borovansky's thoughts this time of year wander towards barrel racing, cowboys and bucking bulls.

The 2006 PremierWest Bank Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday. With everything from bull riding competitions to events like a wagon rides and a rodeo clown, the event is a local favorite that Borovansky says virtually guarantees a packed house each year.

Admitting he touts the event as a huge crowd pleaser each and every October, Borovansky says the caliber of rodeo competitors astounds him a bit more each time the event comes to town.

"We've got some serious cowboys — top 15 worldwide in every category and event. If this was baseball it'd be the Red Sox and the Yankees."

He added, "People need to understand this isn't just a rodeo we put together for local cowboys. You'll see these same cowboys and some of the same animals on ESPN."

Advertisement

Second in size locally only to the annual Jackson County fair itself, the event is one of pro rodeo's final stops each year before national finals in Las Vegas come December. Borovansky estimates the event brings some $2 million into the local economy each year. Some competitors this year include fourth-best bull rider in the world, Zeb Lanham, and seventh best J.C. Bean; the world's sixth best bareback rider Bobby Mote; and 11th "all around" competitor Bucky Campbell.

The rodeo kicks off this evening and Saturday at 7 p.m. Friday's show is $13 in advance or $15 at the gate. Saturday, admission is $1 more.

For Sunday's Family Day event, tickets are general admission — $13 in advance and $15 at the gate — but kids 12 and under get in for half price ($6 advance and $7 at the gate).

Also featured each day will be kids' wagon rides one hour before the rodeo, and rodeo clown Dale Woodard, presented by Rogue Valley Family Fun Center, with a Justin Boot giveaway for kids.

During intermissions there will be cowboy autograph sessions and, on Friday, three $50 grocery giveaways courtesy of Ray's Food Place.

After Friday and Saturday's rodeo events is the official "after party" at Chaps on Highway 62.

This year's events include bull riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and steer wrestling.

Sunday is Family Day with activities from noon to 1:30 p.m., like kids roping, teddy bear tie downs, face painting, wagon rides, and mechanical bull riding.

For info, call 774-8270 or visit www.jcfairgrounds.com.

Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at buffypollock@juno.com.