ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SIKESTON RODEO ENDS, PLANS FOR '96 BEGIN

SIKESTON -- As members of the Sikeston Jaycees cleaned up the rodeo grounds Sunday after the annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo ended, plans already were underway for next year's event.

"We're glad it's over," said Dennis Fraser, publicity chairman for the rodeo. "Now we have to get ready for the next one."

The annual rodeo -- one of the biggest in the nation -- ended its four-day run Saturday night without a hitch.

"It rained Wednesday a little, which caused some concern, but it served to cool things off, so the only hiccup in the whole deal turned out to be an advantage," Fraser said.

Fraser estimated attendance for the rodeo was 40,000. The event drew about the same number last year. Proceeds, which benefit the Jaycees, haven't been totalled.

"Friday and Saturday we had 100 percent sellouts, which is not unusual," Fraser said. "Wednesday and Thursday did not sell out, but attendance was better than average."

Another highlight is that this year's competition yielded no major injuries. One participant suffered a few broken ribs, but was treated and released from the Missouri Delta Medical Center. A total of 319 competitors in various events vyed for a total purse of $120,000.

Tim Gilmore of Sikeston has been installed as chairman of the 1996 rodeo, on which work is already begun.

"We began talking about next year's entertainment about a month ago as well as capital improvements for the grounds," Fraser said.