WORLAND – The Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous Rodeo Association’s first big PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) of the year, the 14th annual Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous Rodeo is this weekend at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds.

“We are going to have a really good rodeo this year. We have several NFR (National Rodeo Finals) contestants, which will be here. We have some world champions also, current and past. Sage Kimzey is a world champion bull rider who is scheduled to be there Friday night,” Cowboy Rendezvous Committee vice- president Dan Robertson said. “We heard that he got hurt so we are not 100 percent sure if he will be there or not, but hopefully,” he added.

Robertson stated that the events for the rodeo include WPRA (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association) barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling and bull riding with NFR (National Finals Rodeo ) award-winning stock provided by the Powder River Rodeo Company.

“We have a full roster of contestants this year. We have double the bull riders that we have had in the past. We are really excited about that because that seems to be the event that everyone wants to come and watch,” Robertson said.

The excitement begins Friday morning at 9 a.m. with the rodeo slack. Later Friday the gates will open again at 5 p.m. for event goers to tour vendor alley with indoor and outdoor vendors selling food, drinks and souvenirs. Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. the rodeo begins with special recognition for people fighting cancer.

Saturday morning the rodeo parade begins at 10 a.m. Robertson stated that the parade will be quite large and that Hot Springs County Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees, Charlie Shaffer, Norman Wallingford and Stanley Pennoyer, will be honored as grand marshals. Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. is the Chuck Mead Memorial Pack Horse Scramble. Gates will again open at 5 p.m. for attendees to once again visit vendor alley. At 7:30 p.m. the rodeo begins again with special recognition for the Hot Springs County Wyoming Hall of Fame inductees and active military members, veterans, law enforcement and first responders

The theme for this year’s rodeo is United We Stand to honor the active military, veterans, law enforcement and first responders. According to the rodeo program, “In a world that is unsettled and changing at a fast pace this year, 2018, the Cowboy Rendezvous Committee has chosen to honor those who protect us and our freedoms.

“We are eternally grateful to our God for the freedoms we are given but know, without a doubt, that these freedoms have come at a price. We believe that God uses those among us for His purpose and we humbly honor those that serve. That service has come to us both in the homeland and throughout the world. Many families have given their sons, daughters, moms, dads, aunts, uncles and cousins. We can never repay those who have selflessly given their all or those that they loved, but are totally in debt of this ultimate sacrifice.

“We hope and pray that our act of recognition honors you and that in some small way you know how grateful we are for your service. Our prayer is that God is with you, in your coming and going, everywhere that you serve. We pray that he guides you, protects you and blesses the service of your hands and cares for those you love.”

Saturday night’s rodeo will be followed by a street dance featuring Rattlesnake Ridge, sponsored by One-Eyed Buffalo, in front of One-Eyed Buffalo.

Robertson stated that he would like to give a big thank you to all the sponsors of the event. “It’s a huge undertaking to put one of these on,” Robertson said. He added that it couldn’t have been done with the generous help from the sponsors.