PV Rodeo means family tradition
Jun 19, 2012 (Menafn - Pauls Valley Daily Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --PAULS VALLEY, Oklahoma -- Given traditions set in Oklahoma soil there will always be those drawnto action in the rodeo arena, but for some involved in the GarvinCounty scene it can amount to a family reunion.
It's not hard to imagine why when those like Dessie Daugherty,secretary of the Pauls Valley Roundup Club, can trace her roots back tothe beginning of the Heritage Days IRPA Rodeo, continuing the traditioneven as it makes it's 67th trip to arena in Wacker Park this year. Fromher dad Ralph McGee who was the first club president in 1945 to herhusband Robert Daugherty acting as the current, there's a lot of pridefor all involved as the event return June 28-30 each night at 8 p.m.
"My mother and dad were very much into the rodeo," said Daugherty. "Wehave a passion to just get out there and do."
Daugherty's fond memories are a familiar trait for many who have beenin the dirt for more than few years with her personal favorite gettingto ride horses in the parade, which returns downtown Saturday, June 30at 5 p.m. The first time doing that was in 1957 when dad made her andsister a saddle.
Daugherty also had a chance to join in on being rodeo royalty with therodeo queen title in 1962, complimenting her mother who won roundupqueen in 1951 and other relatives since with similar honors. Yet, thatwas sometimes topped by meeting greats of the sport like Jim Shouldersor Blaire Bark.
"We just grew up in it," said Daugherty. "I just love the sport andbeing around the people."
However, each part of the preparation takes a lot of investment frommany more people other than Daugherty, who mentioned Lavern Russel, thetreasurer as one of the most involved. With a sense of humor, Russel isnot shy about letting people know "It isn't her first rodeo," withduties covering almost everything from handling programs to thefinancial side of things.
Some of the events to look forward to include the return of ridingevents with registration closing Wednesday, June 20, calf roping andbarrel racing. Always popular is mutton busting for the kids which haselimination rounds each night before the main events begin and a chancefor the top 10 to compete in the rodeo.
The kids in the area also get a chance to be a part of the eventthrough 2,160 free tickets given out to schools all over the county forthose third grade or younger in school packets at the end of their year.
Then there is the entertainment like Ron Hunter, a professional rodeocomedian/clown and a live band which will begin playing 7:15 p.m.nightly.
"It's in no way shape or form just my family," said Daugherty, addinghow preparation will begin months ahead of time and continue right upuntil the day, including painting benches. "There's just not enoughtime in the day to get it all done... A lot of people make thispossible."
Advanced tickets will be sold by Rodeo Queen candidates Bailey Raines, 405-527-3822, and RaeLynn Montoya, 405-207-8807, also at DaughertyInsurance at 214 S. Walnut St. and any roundup club member.
Tickets in advance are 7 for adults and 3 for children. At the gatetickets are 8 for adults and 4 for kids. For information call thePauls Valley Round-Up Club at 405-238-2776 or go online to www.paulsvalleyroundupclub.com
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Copyright (C) 2012, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat, Okla.
