Dateline: May 25, 2006

Plans set for July 4th celebration in Clarendon

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Plans continue to take shape for the 129th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration to be held June 30 through July 4 in Clarendon.

Activities begin Friday, June 30, with a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stanley Auto Ranch, and that night at 7:30 the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will hold the first night of its annual ranch rodeo at the arena behind Stanley’s. An open-air dance will follow the rodeo.

COEA’s events continue Saturday, July 1, with a ranch horse competition at 10 a.m. and the second and final night of the ranch rodeo at 7:30 with another dance to follow. Downtown merchants will be open Saturday, and other activities include a Depression lunch downtown at 11 a.m. and the annual Henson’s turtle race at 3 p.m.

Sunday afternoon will be dedicated to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department as it celebrates its centennial with an open house at the Fire Hall from 2 to 4 p.m.

Local merchants will be open all day Monday for your shopping convenience, and COEA will host a kids’ rodeo for cowpokes ages 16 and under at 7:30 p.m.

The big day this year will be Tuesday, July 4, as the celebration returns to its traditional date and traditional location on the Courthouse Square. The craft fair will begin at 10 a.m., and the Old Settlers Reunion will follow at 10:30 a.m. The Shriners’ Barbecue will begin at 11 a.m.

The Western parade will return to its 2 p.m. timeslot this year and will be followed by the Clarendon Lions Club’s annual Cowpatty Bingo contest at the Lions Hall.

COEA will close out the celebration with a ranch bronc riding competition at 7:30 p.m.

Prospective craft fair vendors should contact the Donley County Extension Office, and those interested in being in the parade should call the Chamber of Commerce. COEA will continue its traditional role of handling the publicity of the celebration in the form of posters and advertisements.