Event enters next half century
NORTH WASHINGTON — How do you top a 50th anniversary?
That's what the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department will attempt when it hosts its 51st annual Professional Rodeo Aug. 17 to 21.
"We had a nice big crowd and had fireworks, and that's something that's going to continue," said rodeo committee chairman Jim Zanella.
"It's upgraded every year. There are different specialty acts that come in. ... There are seven events in rodeo, and a lot of people call me and ask, 'What night is bull riding?' Well, it's seven events every night. The competitors are different," Zanella said.
Those seven events are bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, team roping and cowgirl barrel racing, plus specialty acts that come each year, including last year's clown, Robbie Hodges.
Also, a new digital scoreboard was added for last year's show, Zanella said.
Zanella, who has been the chairman for six years having been a sponsor for years with his Zanella Automotive business on Oneida Valley Road, has been busy this winter trying to get bus companies to come to the rodeo. He's already been contacted by four bus companies.
We're trying to get motor tour buses in," Zanella said. "There are four out there selling it in their pamphlets and booklets.
"It's a dinner and rodeo package. The downside is everyone will come Saturday night. there's a possibility that five buses could come in, that's about 250 people.
"You have be careful what you wish for," Zanella joked.
Still, he's not complaining about the increase in those wanting to attend. The venue holds about 7,000 spectators.
Dubbed the "Rodeo Capital of the East," North Washington has played gracious host to a crowd that increases each year.
But to do that takes some work.
"It's pretty involved," Zanella said. "We'll go from the end of February and advertise at various events and make appearances throughout the area to get the word out on this year's show.
"We'll cross-sponsor the rodeo in Ford City and set up at Horse Trading Days and Cruise-A-Palooza and the Cranberry Township days. There's a lot of places we go to promote."
The rodeo raises $35,000 to $40,000 annually to benefit the fire company, but that's just the rather large tip of the iceberg.
The North Washington Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall will host more than 20 events for 2010, including seven pancake and sausage brunches as well as a roast beef dinner, fish and oyster dinner, four turkey shoots, a high school rodeo, Sportsman's Night, turkey party and Christmas Auction."The rodeo covers most of our expenses," Zanella said. "But we have a full list of activities and do a tremendous amount of fundraising."The North Washington rodeo is among the longer events, which allows it to boast its "capital" slogan."It's because we're five days while there's a two-day rodeo in Ford City and Brookville is one day. Plus, the prize money is close to $50,000."Last year's payoff was more than $42,300, thanks in part to the sponsors as well as volunteers who give tirelessly to the event."Everyone is involved in the area," Zanella said. "There's a large mining company, Marigold, and the local businesses step up."On the chutes, you see the event sponsors, or the banner sponsors on the fences of local businesses. There's the program sponsors, restaurant sponsors ..."One volunteer, Dave Snow, 71, of North Washington has been involved since 1967."I have yet to see it," said Snow, who retired from Indspec 10 years ago, of the rodeo. "I've always been doing something. I married a girl from up here, and it's just been a natural progression. I take a week's vacation and work the rodeo."Some of his duties include, well, a little bit of everything.In the offseason, Snow helps with the women's auxiliary and events planned at the fire hall as well as making the rounds at parades about the rodeo."I drive the brush truck and drive the rodeo queen around," he said.During the parade and rodeo week, Snow has his hands involved in basically everything.
On that Monday, he helps put up signs, setting up trailers and getting the sound system in order as well as washing and waxing trucks."We're done about 2 p.m., go home and put my feet up, then come back at 5 p.m.," Snow said.The rest of the week, duties include getting to the rodeo for 7 a.m. to clean the bleachers and to rake the garbage."We'll have breakfast about 9 a.m. and do anything else that needs to be done," Snow said. "We're just jumping around all day."Very seldom do we get a dull moment ... I just love it. I've slowed down a couple of steps, but I'm right in there with the kids," Snow added.Among the other highlights of the rodeo is the kickoff parade through North Washington on that Monday."We end up at the rodeo arena," Zanella said. "There's no rodeo that night ... but we circle the wagons, and we roast marshmallows for the kids."Tuesdays through Saturdays, there's an 8 p.m. performance, with about a two, two-and-a-half hour performance each night. ... There's also stick horse races for the kids, usually two, three, four heats," Zanella added.And to prepare for the performances each day, there's a lot of volunteer hours involved."We do have groups come in," Zanella said. "In past years, we've had the correctional youth group from Butler County come in, youth groups, scout groups help come in and clean up."Our contractors help with getting things ready, and some contestants come and stay on site. We have hookups. ... We provide hay from the 20 acres on the rodeo grounds," Zanella added.The rodeo, sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association and produced by Rawhide Rodeo, also boasts a steer raffle, usually the grand champion from the Butler Farm Show.What started back in 1959 as 20 rented acres and borrowed bleachers from Pullman Park and Slippery Rock State College, now Slippery Rock University, has blossomed into one of the area's bigger attractions.Not a bad way to start a second 50 years.For information, visit www.nwvfd.com/rodeo.
