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Despite the sluggish economy, the Silver State International Rodeo is gearing up for a banner event this year.
“This is probably the biggest one to date,” said Marcia de Braga, chief executive officer of the SSIR, now in its 24th year. She said the rodeo will have more than 500 participants this year.
De Braga said diesel gas prices, which hovered near $4 a gallon last summer, have dropped dramatically. She also attributed the large number of participants to their parents. De Braga said even though money may be tight, parents are often willing to spend funds for their children's events.
“It's wild,” de Braga said, adding the stock contractor is scrambling to secure more livestock for the rodeo, and the staff at Churchill County Parks and Recreation is busy assembling more holding pens.
One team that won't make it this year is the New Mexico team. De Braga said a horse disease has struck the state, and although the known cases are isolated from high school rodeo competition, the New Mexico team decided to stay home.
The number of participants this year has also increased because of scheduling conflict with the 2008 National Junior High Finals kept some students home. De Braga said the SSIR is starting later this year to avoid competing with that rodeo which finished Sunday.
Organizers also expect a healthy crowd of spectators during the rodeo's eight performances and finals. De Braga said she expects the SSIR to draw crowds from cities within a 60-mile radius of Fallon, including Reno, Carson City, Fernley, Silver Springs, Yerington and Lovelock.
Sponsorships for this year's SSIR are also coming in better than expected.
“It's just as good and better than last year,” de Braga said, adding organizers approached several large sponsors instead of soliciting a multitude of businesses for smaller sponsorships.
She said the rodeo's title sponsor is In Stitches, an embroidery business that has been with the rodeo for many years. Owners Rick and Sandra Schwall are more than just sponsors, de Braga said, adding the couple are committee members, and Rick is currently the rodeo's president.
The city of Fallon is the rodeo's main sponsor, de Braga said, with its donation of two livestock trailers for the all-around cowboy and all-around cowgirl. The city also assists with garbage pick-up and water truck needs at the fairgrounds.
Other major sponsors include Fallon Auto Mall, Les Schwab, the Comfort Inn, Fox Peak Station, CC Communications, KVLV and KHWG.
“This means millions of dollars to Fallon,” de Braga said. “If you come across the country with kids and horses, by the time you get here you'll need to do laundry, maybe get repairs to your RV, buy groceries and find a place to stay. We're different than any other event that comes to Fallon — all these families come to town, and they need to restock.”
“This is probably the biggest one to date,” said Marcia de Braga, chief executive officer of the SSIR, now in its 24th year. She said the rodeo will have more than 500 participants this year.
De Braga said diesel gas prices, which hovered near $4 a gallon last summer, have dropped dramatically. She also attributed the large number of participants to their parents. De Braga said even though money may be tight, parents are often willing to spend funds for their children's events.
“It's wild,” de Braga said, adding the stock contractor is scrambling to secure more livestock for the rodeo, and the staff at Churchill County Parks and Recreation is busy assembling more holding pens.
One team that won't make it this year is the New Mexico team. De Braga said a horse disease has struck the state, and although the known cases are isolated from high school rodeo competition, the New Mexico team decided to stay home.
The number of participants this year has also increased because of scheduling conflict with the 2008 National Junior High Finals kept some students home. De Braga said the SSIR is starting later this year to avoid competing with that rodeo which finished Sunday.
Organizers also expect a healthy crowd of spectators during the rodeo's eight performances and finals. De Braga said she expects the SSIR to draw crowds from cities within a 60-mile radius of Fallon, including Reno, Carson City, Fernley, Silver Springs, Yerington and Lovelock.
Sponsorships for this year's SSIR are also coming in better than expected.
“It's just as good and better than last year,” de Braga said, adding organizers approached several large sponsors instead of soliciting a multitude of businesses for smaller sponsorships.
She said the rodeo's title sponsor is In Stitches, an embroidery business that has been with the rodeo for many years. Owners Rick and Sandra Schwall are more than just sponsors, de Braga said, adding the couple are committee members, and Rick is currently the rodeo's president.
The city of Fallon is the rodeo's main sponsor, de Braga said, with its donation of two livestock trailers for the all-around cowboy and all-around cowgirl. The city also assists with garbage pick-up and water truck needs at the fairgrounds.
Other major sponsors include Fallon Auto Mall, Les Schwab, the Comfort Inn, Fox Peak Station, CC Communications, KVLV and KHWG.
“This means millions of dollars to Fallon,” de Braga said. “If you come across the country with kids and horses, by the time you get here you'll need to do laundry, maybe get repairs to your RV, buy groceries and find a place to stay. We're different than any other event that comes to Fallon — all these families come to town, and they need to restock.”
