Perry Co. rodeo organizers expect another big weekend

Organizers of the Perry County Community Rodeo admit they're not experts at this rodeo business.

But they're catching on fast.

A year after it debuted to big crowds, the second annual rodeo that will begin today features more cowboys, more prize money and an anticipated bigger audience than a year ago for the event at the East Perry Fairgrounds.

Chalk up the changes to Rodeo 101, a crash course in rodeo management.

"We've gone through seminars and classes and meetings, watched other rodeos to see what works, talked to a lot of people -- we've been schooling ourselves on this, basically," said Jason Klaus, one of the event coordinators. "Last year we didn't quite know what to expect from it. This year we know a little more what we needed to do."

Sanctioning by the International Pro Rodeo Assocation has added a heavyweight backing to the event near Altenburg, Mo., in rural Perry County. New hospitality tents will cater to sponsors and competitors. Dirt work in the off-season smoothed out rough spots around the arena. Prize money was boosted to $5,250, up from $3,500.

"We don't want this to grow too quickly," Klaus said, "but we're seeing tremendous response. We'll try to push for bigger and better every year."

Both days will feature seven events (bareback bronc, barrel racing, saddle bronc, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling and bull riding) with intermission events and live music afterward. Contestants -- including several from Southeast Missouri -- will compete for prize money, IPRA points and berths in the International Finals Rodeo in January.

Eleven-time IPRA champion Dale Yerigan, two-time defending steer wrestling champ Ronnie Fields and six-time barrel racing champ Betty Roper head a list of more than 100 pre-entered competitors, many of whom competed in an IPRA event at the Show Me Center in XXX.

More than 6,000 fans crowded into the small arena last year, where seating was boosted to 1,600 in time for that event. A hillside provided additional seats. More permanent bleachers could be added to accommodate a growing number of fans.

"It could very well become an event that will draw 10,000 people," said Mark Boardman, who owns Flickerwood Arena near Jackson, Mo., and is an advisor to the Perry County event directors. "Last year a lot of people wanted to wait and see if this would ever get off the ground, and this year more people want to be involved. That hesitation is gone."

More visitors to Perry County sounds good to Perryville Chamber of Commerce director Jackie Wengert, who said the added traffic benefits hotels, restaurants and gas stations throughout the county.

"It helps everybody," she said. " After we had it last year, I got e-mails the next week from people asking about our museum, our park center and other attractions. That gets people coming back not just to the rodeo, but to our area."