Dateline: June 30, 2005

Celebration to be held July 1, 2, 4

By Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

The 127th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration and Ranch Rodeo kicks off this weekend in Clarendon.

Activities get rolling on Friday, July 1, with the Donley County Horse Club Stick Horse Rodeo at 9:00 a.m. across from the Post Office.  Registration begins June 24 at Saye’s.  Cost is $5 per child.  All proceeds benefit the club.

The fun continues on Friday with the annual Depression Lunch at the Downtown Ministries building. The meal will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will consist of beans, cornbread, and a drink for a 25¢ minimum donation. They will also serve dessert, sausage wraps, and cokes for an additional charge.  The First Baptist Church will conduct the meal as a fundraiser until 1:30  p.m.

Friday is also the first night for the Saints’ Roost Celebration Ranch Rodeo.  The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association presents the 10-team ranch rodeo at 7:30 p.m. Team events include Bronco Riding, Wild Cow Milking, Team Branding, and Team Doctoring/Sorting. The youngsters are also invited to participate in the Open Junior Calf Ride (ages 0-8), the Steer Ride (age 9-12), and the Donkey Ride (age 0-12).  Entry fee is $20 for each event.  The Open Calf Scramble, sponsored by Donley County State Bank, is open to age 0-12 and is free of charge. 

The rodeo will also feature the Open Wild Mare Race.  Six horses will be furnished each night.  There is a $90 entry fee with $150 added money.  All rough stock will be provided by Bill Hext of Canadian.

A $200 beef certificate will be drawn each night at the Rodeo Arena.

You can dance the night away Friday to the sounds of the Brant Moore Band.  The dance will be held at the rodeo grounds from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The COEA will start the fun early Saturday morning with the RHAA Ranch Horse Competition at 8:00 a.m. at the arena.

The Arts and Crafts Fair will begin at the City Park at 9:00 a.m. Booths selling food and craft items will be offering their wares until 3:00 p.m. The Donley County Extension Office is currently renting booth space for the fair.  The cost is $25.  Booth set up will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Each organization will be responsible for set-up and take-down of their booth as well as any trash around their booth.  For an entry form or more information, contact the Donley County Extension Office at 874-2141.  All entries must be received by Monday, June 27.

The Extension Service will also give away a new John Deere Riding Lawn Mower on Saturday.  Tickets are $5.00 per ticket or five tickets for $20.  They will even deliver the prize within 100 miles of Clarendon.  For tickets, contact any local 4-H or FFA member or call the Extension Office at 874-2141.  All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Donley County Junior Livestock Show Building Fund.

A big change to this year’s celebration is the Bicycle Parade and Western Parade.  The two parades will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.  The youngsters will go first with their bicycles, directly followed by the Western Parade.  The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting entry forms for both parades.  Entry forms are available in this issue of The Enterprise or at the Chamber of Commerce office or Burton Memorial Library.

Line up for the Western Parade begins at 8:30 a.m. two blocks west of the City Park.  Bicycle Parade participants can fill out the entry form in this issue of The Enterprise or register 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the City Park Pavilion. 

The Old Settlers Reunion will be held at the City Park Pavilion beginning at 11:00 a.m. along with the Shriner’s Barbecue.  Tickets for the barbecue are available from any Shriner, at Henson’s, or at The Clarendon Enterprise office.  Tickets will also be sold Saturday.

The Turtle Race will be held Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at the intersection by Henson’s.  Youngsters are encouraged to sign up now at Henson’s for their numbers. 

The ranch rodeo begins its second night of performance at 7:30 Saturday.  All events will be the same with ten new teams competing. 

You can dance with the Lonesome Goat band on Saturday night beginning at 10:00 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds.

Activities wind down on Monday night with the Open Ranch Bronc Ride at the Rodeo Grounds.  Competitors will ride 30 head of stock that evening.  They will also have the Open Junior Calf Ride, Steer Ride, and Donkey Ride for the youngsters along with the Open Calf Scramble.