Initiative aims to renew Sikeston support of rodeo

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Several businesses and civic organizations in Sikeston have boosted their rodeo spirit this year.

They're displaying more signage and rodeo-themed decorations in their store windows and front lawns, allowing staff members to dress in western wear this week, and some are even hosting activities to commemorate this year's 60th annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

"Sixty years of doing this is a big milestone for us," said Zach Fayette, chairman of rodeo publicity. "We just want to put ownership back to Sikeston."

Fayette said this year the Jaycees implemented a communitywide initiative for business and civic organizations to get more involved during rodeo week and make their support more visible.

"We're trying to bring Sikeston back to the rodeo a little bit," Fayette said.

In recent years, the Internet has made it possible to branch out rodeo ticket sales to residents outside Sikeston and even out of state, Fayette said.

"Now we're trying to reinstitute our commitment that we're here for Sikeston and the money generated goes back to the Sikeston community," Fayette said.

The Jaycees have worked on the initiative over the last couple years, asking local businesses and organizations what they can do to make the rodeo experience better for the community, Fayette said.

So with this being the 60th year, Fayette said the Jaycees felt it was time to generate more local buzz -- and it seems to be catching on.

Missouri Delta Medical Center has topped its main sign with a large cowboy hat, placed red bandannas around the columns of the facility's front entrance and decorated with rodeo-themed silhouettes.

Today clowns and rodeo queens are scheduled to visit with patients, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a hot-dog roast on the front lawn of the hospital where there will also be karaoke and music from the rodeo entertainment. There will also be an area designated for attendees to practice roping.

"We usually always let our employees dress in western attire during rodeo week, but this year we've taken it to another level with the decorations and hot-dog roast," said Sharon Urhahn, marketing director for Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. "We're really trying to bring up the spirit of the rodeo with our employees and the community."

In addition, Urhahn said, this year she's also selling rodeo T-shirts through the Jaycees to hospital staff members. The hospital also buys rodeo tickets and conducts a drawing for its employees.

Urhahn said the importance of the community supporting the rodeo.

"The money raised through the rodeo stays local," Urhahn said. "I think a lot of residents take the rodeo for granted and don't realize how much money the Jaycees give back to our community -- and that's one of the reasons the hospital is getting so involved."

Fayette said the rodeo has an $8 million effect during its week in Sikeston.

"This rodeo is a big deal -- not just in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association -- but in Sikeston," Fayette said.

Jeff Partridge, executive director of the YMCA of Southeast Missouri in Sikeston, agreed the rodeo has both an economic impact during the week of the rodeo but also long after as the Jaycees give funds back to the community.

"The Y is very thankful to the Jaycees and the whole community should be thankful for the Jaycees, and we just wanted to show our support to make people more aware of the rodeo and it's impact to the community," Partridge said.

This year there's definitely more rodeo spirit at the YMCA than in years past, Partridge said.

"All of our staff are dressed in rodeo attire this week, and we're doing a staff contest with the winner being whoever shows the most rodeo spirit," Partridge said.

A large 5-foot by 8-foot display promoting the rodeo was set up in the lobby. With the exception of the lifeguards, staff members are donning jeans, boots and hats, he said.

A rodeo trivia contest is being offered to YMCA members, and children in the nursery can participate in a rodeo coloring page contest, Partridge noted. The rodeo clowns are also scheduled to meet with the YMCA's day campers.

The video monitors used to promote its programs located throughout the YMCA are also featuring ads about the rodeo.

"We're trying to promote it and help people in the community realize the importance of the rodeo and that we all get behind it," Partridge said.

Several stores in Downtown Sikeston are displaying large banners depicting the history of the rodeo in their store windows.

Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston has displayed a banner showing its support of the rodeo at the corner of Main and Malone streets in Sikeston. NewWave Communications in Sikeston is buying rodeo tickets to give their employees as prizes.

Several banks are allowing their employees to wear jeans and this year's official rodeo T-shirts.

"A lot of banks bought each of their employees T-shirts," Fayette said.

Taylor Allen, staffing specialist at Manpower in Sikeston, said she loved the idea of the initiative.

"Even though it's great we have all of out-of-towners coming, we need to renew our hometown support," Allen said.

The three staff members at Manpower painted their front windows with a rodeo theme, decorated inside with red bandanna banners and also placed a banner urging others to support the rodeo on its front lawn.

"We have a pretty small local office, but we're going to do what we can," Allen said.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, free roping lessons will be offered as well as face painting and hot dogs, Allen said.

Meanwhile, Fayette said the Sikeston business that generates the most spirit will be rewarded with a plaque and a special, visible acknowledgment in front of Saturday night's crowd. The goal is for the initiative to grow from year to year, he said.

It really is a community effort, Allen said.

"At the end of the day, we're just supporting the rodeo," she said.