Competitors ride in from across the nation for rodeo
WASHINGTON TWP — Most people wouldn't sign up to wrestle a full-grown steer to the ground in a dirt pit up to five nights a week, but that's commonplace for Garrett Elmore and Trevor Howard.
Their course this week is the North Washington Rodeo Arena, where the two chased a steer while riding horseback in an attempt to hogtie it as fast as possible to get the highest point value.
From their home base in Oklahoma, Elmore and Howard travel the country to compete in rodeos hoping to earn money and add to their point values in the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA).
Howard said the North Washington Rodeo, which takes place through Saturday, is a must-attend because of the winnings available.
"You can do it for the money, but I love doing it," he said. "This is one of the better ones though. It'll pay more than a lot of the other ones around here."
The North Washington Rodeo is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Washington Volunteer Fire Company and takes place each August.
Dave Hazlet, president of North Washington Volunteer Fire Department and chairman of the rodeo, said the event gained notoriety through the prize money available, which, in turn, brought myriad competitors to the fray. The tough competition made the rodeo even better to watch, which is how it became a major part of the fire department's operating budget.
"For a lot of years it was the biggest rodeo this side of the Mississippi," Hazlet said. "We get a lot of prize money, and we get the top competitors here and that brings the people in."
Hazlet said the event is sanctioned by the American Professional Rodeo Association and the international association, which also makes it a draw for competitors. The event raises money through admission fees to the rodeo, as well as participant entry fees.
Hazlet said the fundraiser helps to fund big purchases, such as a new tanker, which the fire department recently bought.
Competitors come from all over the country to hang on to bucking broncos for as long as they can, race on horses around barrels and wrestle steers to the ground as quickly as possible, all in the center rodeo arena surrounded by bleachers.
Cassie Vaughan has been to the North Washington Rodeo several times and the IPRA finals three times, competing in breakaway roping. Her mission is to rope a calf in the pit as quickly as possible while riding horseback.
Vaughan said she wanted to leave the rodeo this week with enough points to secure her standings in the finals again this year.
"I hope to get a good check out here," Vaughan said. "Once the cutoff is over at the end of the year, they count up, and the top 12 go to finals."
The competition is stiff at the rodeo; Hazlet said dozens of people compete in each category every year.
Thursday was First Responder Night, meaning emergency response personnel entered at a lower rate. Other departments also help the Washington VFD pull off the event, as an act of mutual aid.
"We don't just help each other at fires," said Reid Campbell, chief of the West Sunbury VFD.
There is still a "full rodeo every night" through Saturday, with many more competitions remaining, according to Hazlet.
While Howard and Elmore each hoped to leave the rodeo with decent prize money, they both agreed that no matter the outcome, they would be back at the sport in just a few more days.
"We both grew up on rodeo farms," Elmore said. "That's what we do for money."
The same events start at 8 p.m. each day, but different competitors enter every time. Gates open at 6 p.m., and tickets for adults are $18, and children 4 through 12 years old get in for $9.
