Dateline: July 3, 2003

Annual celebration begins Thursday

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Make plans now to attend Clarendon’s 125th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration with activities for the entire family July 3, 4, and 5.

The restored 1890 Donley County Courthouse will be formally rededicated with a ceremony scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4. An open house of the renovated courthouse will be held until noon.  They will also hold an open house on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Other festivities this year include the annual Arts and Crafts Fair from 10:00 a.m.  to 4 p.m. at the City Park. If you would like to be a part of the action by exhibiting at the fair, contact the Donley County Extension Office at 874-2141 to reserve a space.

The Old Settlers Reunion starts at 10:30 a.m. at the City Park Pavilion.

The Shriners will begin serving a delicious barbecue lunch at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $6 per plate and are available at Henson’s, at the Enterprise office, or from any Shriner.

The annual Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo will be held at 1:00 p.m. also in the park.

The Bicycle/Tricycle Parade will be held right before the big parade at 2:00.  Kids will meet at the bridge at City Park at 1:45.  Kids 12 years old and younger will ride for only one block by the park so they can enjoy the rest of the parade.  Bicycle and tricycle entries will be judged for best in each age division.  Motorized entries will not be judged.  Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each age division.

The annual Fourth of July Celebration Parade will follow the bicycle parade. The line up begins at noon two blocks west of the City Park. The parade route will be from the baseball fields on Seventh Street to Kearney, then up Kearney to Third Street, west to Sully, and then back to the ball fields.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will sponsor an Open Ranch Bronc Ride on Thursday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Rodeo Arena.  An open junior calf ride for ages 0-8 and a steer ride for ages 9-12 will be held that evening.  There is a $20 entry for the contest.  The evening will also include a calf scramble for kids age 0-12.

Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will present the annual Ranch Rodeo at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights at the rodeo grounds with 20 different teams from ranches around the area. The teams will compete in several events including Bronc Riding, Wild Cow Milking, Team Branding, and Team Doctoring/Team Sorting.  The junior calf ride, the steer ride, and the open calf scramble will also be held each evening.  The kids’ events are sponsored by Donley County State Bank, Walco, and West Texas Western Store.

An open Wild Mare Race with six horses will be held each night of the Ranch Rodeo.  Entry fee is $90 with $150 added money. A drawing for a $200 beef certificate will be held each night of the rodeo.

The rodeo dance will begin at 10:00 p.m. at the Panhandle’s largest open-air dance floor at the Rodeo Grounds with Country Classics on Thursday, Copper Head on Friday, and Santa Fe Band Saturday night. 

The Chamber of Commerce will give away the trip for two to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas Saturday night during the rodeo.  Tickets are available for $10 each or 3 for $25.  Tickets can be purchased from any board member or by calling Bobbie Thornberry at 874-3581, Greg Henry at 874-3571, or the Chamber office at 874-2421.

The fun continues with the RHAA Ranch Horse Competition at 8 a.m. Saturday at the COEA Arena.

The Donley County Horse Club Stick Horse Rodeo will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday across from the Post Office. The rodeo is for children seven and under. The entry fee is $5.  This is a fund-raiser for the Horse Club. To pre-register, go by Saye’s.

The Depression Lunch will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Main Street Ministry. The First Baptist Church will help serve the beans and cornbread for a low price. They will also be selling drinks and desserts.

Henson’s annual Turtle Race will be at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Sign up at the store.