Rodeo Event Draws Big Success

GUYMON, Okla. – Folks in the Oklahoma Panhandle love a good shindig.

When such an event benefits the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, the gathering turns into a bash. That was certainly the case for the annual Dinner, Dance & Draw Down at the Pickle Creek Event Center on Saturday in Guymon.

“We don’t have all the final numbers yet, but all indicators point to another record-breaking year,” said Brooke Kitting, the rodeo’s marketing director. “A lot of this success is on Gil and Sydney Barrera, who led the planning with this event.”

The draw down was created 21 years ago as a means to raise awareness and funds for the annual rodeo, with this year’s performances set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena.

The volunteer rodeo committee sold tickets for $100, which included two prime-rib dinners and one entry into the draw down. Numbers were drawn one by one, and each draw eliminated an entry. The grand prize was $10,000, but there were other opportunities for eventgoers to cash in.

“We served 275 meals, and we also sold a first-edition Guymon leather jacket in the live auction,” Kitting said. “We had some great auction items that helped us raise a considerable amount.”

Grace Quintero and Rilee Stover held the last two tickets in the draw, and they elected to split the grand prize. The evening also featured a chip draw, a gun draw and live music from the Jimmy Lee Jordan Band.

“This event is always a good time for us to celebrate the rodeo and our supporters and sponsors,” said Ken Stonecipher, the committee’s chairman. “The great thing about our community is the amazing support they give. It’s not just us, but it’s amazing for us to get that kind of backing year after year.”

It takes more than a village to make the rodeo successful. Sponsorships are instrumental in the success of Pioneer Days Rodeo, and that was also true for the draw down, which saw support from Blackmore Livestock Transportation, Advanced Water Solutions, Bob’s Cowboy Bar Saloon & Dancehall, Refz Sports Bar & Grill, Dancer’s Fine Wine & Liquor, Gabs Bottle in a Bag and Seaboard Foods. The committee also donated to some of the door prizes. 

Students from the Guymon High School FFA program were also on hand to provide assistance when needed.

“We’ve been doing this for a long time, and it’s always amazing to me how many people come out and want to reinvest in our rodeo,” Stonecipher said. “Aaron Witt donated his time and talent to shoot photos, and then he gave us about $500 from the tips he’d received. If you ask me, that’s what the Panhandle is all about.”

*Press release courtesy of Ted Harbin & Guymon Rodeo