SIKESTON BOOTHEEL RODEO KICKS OFF; POLICE SUGGEST ROUTES TO, FROM GROUNDS

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Old habits die hard, but the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and Sikeston Jaycees hope local residents will accept this year's change in traffic flow at the Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo.

The rodeo opened Wednesday and runs through Saturday.

For many years traffic to the rodeo used Ingram as the primary route leading to and from the rodeo. This often caused traffic congestion and long waits while driving to and leaving the rodeo. However, this year Ingram was replaced as the main route for local residents.

"This year we will use the new, extended Salcedo as our primary route into and out of the rodeo for local citizens," said Sikeston DPS Capt. Drew Juden.

Officers plan on closing Salcedo and turning it into two lanes that will be used to usher traffic into the rodeo grounds. Juden said there would be a single lane of traffic open on Ingram, but for those who want to take the quickest route possible, Salcedo is suggested.

For residents coming to the Rodeo from out of town, the primary route will be different. "We hope most of those who come from out of town will use HH," Juden said. "We have signs along the highway that will give directions on how to get to the rodeo grounds."

From out of town, drivers should take Interstate 55 to mile marker 69 at the new northern interchange. At the northern interchange drivers should take HH and turn south on Ingram. This, Juden said, will be the quickest way for people coming to the rodeo from out-of-town to get to the grounds.

There will also be a change in leaving the rodeo grounds. Those leaving through the south exit of the rodeo grounds will turn left on Ingram where they will take Salcedo. Those leaving through the north exit of the rodeo grounds will turn right onto Ingram and head toward HH.

Juden asks that all drivers be aware of the new routes and to be on the lookout for officers who will be in the area helping to direct traffic.

"Our goal is to move traffic as safely and expediently as possible," Juden said. "We want to encourage everyone to be alert, drive safely and watch for officers directing traffic."