Rodeo opens tonight at Sikeston

Standard Democrat

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Jaycees Bootheel Rodeo kicks off tonight, marking the 50th anniversary of the annual event.

In addition to rodeo events like bareback riding and calf roping, the Sikeston Jaycees have music booked each night. Alabama will play tonight, followed by Lonestar on Thursday, Gary Allan on Friday and Trace Adkins on Saturday.

For rodeo chairman Randy Tuttle, months of work will filter down into four days.

"When you walk around and see that you are providing the quality entertainment that we are and how it affects the people, it is gratifying," he said. "It is worth the sleepless nights."

But it hasn't been easy, Tuttle said. The work began even before the 2001 rodeo ended as he and then-chairman Shannon Garrett talked about how to make the 50th annual rodeo memorable.

Along with the crowds expected this year will also be a lot of traffic.

For area residents, Sikeston police are asking that people use East Salcedo Road to get to the rodeo grounds. Dual lanes of traffic will be used on East Salcedo.

For out-of-town visitors coming to the rodeo, drivers should take the northern interchange off Interstate 55. At the northern interchange, drivers will take Route HH and turn south on Ingram.

When leaving the rodeo, those taking the south exit will turn left on to Ingram Road and then will be routed to Salcedo Road. Those leaving through the north exit will turn right onto Ingram and head toward Route HH.