Growing Sikeston rodeo crowd prompts parking plan changes

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The crush of cars that usually pack in along Sikeston's Ingram Street during rodeo week will have to park elsewhere this year.

For the first time in rodeo history, the city's Department of Public Safety has decided to prevent parking along the street which runs adjacent to the rodeo grounds on the city's northern end.

The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo begins Monday with an expanded week of events in its 54th year. Monday and Tuesday night will offer team roping, barrel racing, calf roping and steer wrestling events before the musical entertainment kicks of on Wednesday.

Starting Monday, the Sikeston DPS will prevent parking along Ingram Street between Salcedo Road and Route HH -- previously a popular parking area for rodeo patrons.

DPS Capt. Mark Crocker said the move was based on safety concerns with the larger number of patrons expected, but the idea isn't new.

"It's been something we've been trying to do for several years," said Crocker. "It was creating traffic problems, it caused several accidents and there was a concern about kids running out in front of cars."

The restrictions will remain in effect through the end of the rodeo on Aug. 12. In addition, traffic could be reduced to one lane along Ingram from Salcedo Road to the rodeo grounds entrance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 to 12. Traffic will also be one-way on the same stretch of Ingram and from Salcedo to Main Street after those nights' performances.

Two-way traffic will be allowed from the rodeo grounds exit to Route HH.

Crocker said the parking available at the rodeo grounds should be enough to accommodate patrons.

Musical performers at this year's rodeo will be Trace Adkins, Aug. 9; Terri Clark, Aug. 10; Craig Morgan, Aug. 11; and Keith Anderson, Aug. 12.

For more information visit www.sikestonrodeo.com or call (800) 455-BULL.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182