HUNTINGDON – The 12th annual Central PA Rodeo will be held at the Huntingdon Fairgrounds Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 17-19, with show times beginning Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.
The rodeo is presented by Window World and St. Matthew School in Tyrone. Window World has joined the rodeo festival in 2016 to help promote the family fun-filled weekend that attracts big crowds and leaves great memories, rain or shine.
Organizers are pleased to announce that they expect the 2016 rodeo to be bigger and better, with a couple new events and a classic entertainment act never seen in these parts before.
Each year the rodeo is sanctioned by the APRA (American Professional Rodeo Association) and the IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association), with prize money topping $18,000, which is some of the highest on the East Coast Circuit.
New to the rodeo circuit this year, the APRA and IPRA will crown eight events instead of the traditional seven. Woman breakaway roping will be introduced to the Huntingdon show this year for the first time, which uses the same skills as the tie down roping until the end when the woman are not required to tie the calf down.
Big money awaits the top three place finishers now in eight events, Woman Breakaway Roping, Bareback Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie Down Roping, Barrel Racing and the ever popular Bull Riding.
Held once a year this old west, patriotic show is expected to draw more than 200 contestants and 4,000 spectators to the fairgrounds, coming from all over America and Canada.
Hosting contestants ranked No. 1 in the World on the APRA or IPRA circuit almost every year since the inception of the Central PA Rodeo has provided area fans a chance to see the best.
Along with seeing the best, this year organizers will be introducing another new event that is designed to build the ranks of the Bareback and Saddle Bronc riders.
These folks will be considered novices in the sport and learning the trade as they will not have been able to earn $500 in any rodeo prior to this year.
They will compete against each other with the champion being crowned after the three day event. They will also have the opportunity to travel to six other regional rodeos to compete for a grand buckle at the end of the year. The Central PA Rodeo is accredited with having top notch entertainment acts and this year is no different.
Performing all three shows will be Tim Lepard and his “Wild Thang” Rodeo act straight from Tupelo, Miss. His performance incorporates his capuchin monkeys riding sheep dogs that bring the jungle and the rodeo arena together.
“Team Ghost Riders” has performed at the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City and has been named three-time winner for Comedy Act of the year and Best Dress Act of the year.
They have been featured on America’s Funniest Home Videos as well as appearing on Jay Leno and Steve Harvey’s Big Show. His most inspirational appearance though was for a little girl that wanted to meet him and his animals through the Make a Wish Foundation.
He said it left an impact he will never forget as she could have chosen anyone in the world to meet.
Also new this year will be the “Kids Corral” as this will be anything for kids to do hours before the show starts.
Tickets for the rodeo will be sold online at centralparodeo.com. They will also be available at all Ace Hardware stores in Tyrone, Huntingdon, Duncansville and all Reliance bank locations throughout the central Pennsylvania region beginning in May.
Advance tickets are $13 for adults, $5 for children and kids three years and under are admitted free. Tickets purchased the day of the show will be $17 and $7.
New this year will be a Weekend Pass, $30 for adults and $15 for children. The Weekend pass allows access for all three shows at a significant value for rodeo fans, but must be purchased online at centralparodeo.com only.
As in years past, all veterans and active members of the military will be admitted free of charge for Sunday’s show.
This family event is held each year to benefit St. Matthew School in Tyrone, a faith-based school that has provided generations of education to students of all backgrounds and faith in the Tyrone area since 1869.
