Rodeo returns with plenty of riders, prize money
WASHINGTON TWP — Started in 1959, the North Washington Rodeo will return again for what has been called the second best rodeo in the world.
A parade begins proceedings at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 on West Sunbury Road.
The 57th rodeo itself runs Aug. 16 to 20 and is sanctioned through the International Professional Rodeo Association, which rated the rodeo as second best in the world, according to Dave Hazlet, chairman of the rodeo committee.
The event benefits the North Washington Volunteer Fire Department and had more than 10,600 attendees last year.
Rodeo events begin at 8 p.m. Aug. 16 with more than $17,000 in prize money.
Prize money in each of the following categories totals $2,400: bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, cowgirls’ barrel racing, team roping and bull riding. Awards for cowgirls’ breakaway roping total $500.
The prize money attracts many world rodeo champions.
“Almost all of the world champions from the International Professional Rodeo Association will be at North Washington in all events,” Hazlet said.
“We are probably the biggest rodeo prize money-wise in the Northeast, and big contestants are coming for that.”
One change this year likely will increase the number of riders, Hazlet said.
The North Washington Rodeo paired with six other rodeo committees to create a rough stock series, focusing on three events: bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding.
The way the series works is a rider must compete in all seven rodeos to be eligible for the final grand prize, which has yet to be determined, Hazlet said.
These riders can compete once a night for a total of five runs throughout the rodeo.
“The idea is to promote the rodeo and keep it going and have more and more contestants,” he said.
This year, the rough stock competition brought in an extra 25 contestants, and Hazlet said there are typically a couple hundred contestants throughout the week.
The first rodeo in that rough stock series — the Central Pennsylvania Rodeo in Huntingdon County — took place in June, and the North Washington Rodeo is the last in the series.
“With a little luck and with this rough stock series we’ve created, it’ll be the best rodeo in years,” Hazlet said.
Arena gates open at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 through 20. Admission is $14 for adults and $6 for children 4 to 12. Advance sale tickets are $12 and $5, respectively. For more information, visit www.nwvfd.com.
