Courtesy Article
The Becca Anderson Memorial Rodeo, scheduled for September 25th and 26th, returns to Marion County with the net proceeds benefitting the Becca Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program.
The event, now in its eighth year, serves as the main fundraiser for the scholarship program which has been ongoing since 2004. Scholarships were awarded in May to Jefferson High Seniors Brynlie Braddock, Kaci Russell and Gunner Walker in the amount of $1,500 each. Any area student who participates in the rodeo calf scramble is eligible to apply for the larger scholarship each May once they are Seniors. The total to be awarded to the 8-winning team members from the calf scramble is $3,200.00.
The event will be held at the Jefferson Livestock Association Arena, located 2 miles east of Jefferson on Highway 49. The action starts with the grand entry at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 5 to 12 and ages 4 and under get in free. Events include bareback bronc, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, break-a-way roping, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Youth events include stick horse races for those 5 and under (no fee), mutton busting age 8 and under ($20.00 fee), kids calf scramble ages 10 & under (no fee) and the scholarship calf scramble for high school or home-school students ages 14 to 18 (no fee). Signups for the mutton busting and the stick horse races are from 6:30 until 7:15 each night of the rodeo. Entries are limited so please come early!
Winning team members competing in the high school scramble will each receive $100.00 cash and a $400.00 scholarship to be applied towards dual credit courses or be payable when the student enters college or trade school. Application packets for the scholarship calf scramble are available from the Jefferson High counselor’s office, McLeod, Harleton and Diana Ag departments and area County 4-H Extension Agents. Information is also available on the Becca Anderson Memorial Program Facebook page, from any committee member or Susan Anderson at susananderson1991@gmail.com. Completed applications are due by September 20th.
Raffle tickets for a $750 gift card to Winchester’s Sportsmans Outfitters, Longview are currently available from committee members and will also be available at the rodeo. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. Drawing to be held at the Saturday night performance.
Additional entertainment will be provided by award winning Rodeo Clown Preston Broxson performing one of his unique specialty acts and the Texarkana based equestrian drill team, The Red Dirt Riders. The rodeo is produced by the Bergeron Rodeo Company of Lake Charles, Louisiana and is sanctioned through the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboy Association, United Professional Rodeo Association and Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association. Slack competition for contestants not entered in the nightly performance will be held after the Friday night performance. The books open for contestants on September 13th with all entries being made as stated on the LRCA and UPRA websites.