Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
One way or the other, the Sweet Home Rodeo will go on, and three local people stepped up to the plate to make sure the rodeo broke even.
In the interest of full disclosure, the Sweet Home Rodeo Committee has elaborated on its financial situation in regard to the 2005 event, which took place two and a half weeks ago. Rainfall immediately before the two evening shows and in the morning before the Sunday show is believed to have contributed to a drop below normal attendance.
The rodeo costs between $30,000 and $35,000 to put on each year, depending on a variety of factors, committee member David Kem said.
Direct rodeo revenues fell short of the cost by $4,700, but two committee families and one family not connected to the rodeo provided the money to pay for the event.
“All of our bills are paid,” President Dick Coffin said. That’s why the rodeo broke even.
“We do it because we love it,” Kem said.
“We love our community, and we love our rodeo,” said Kem’s wife Kellie.
The difference for the rodeo was based on the gate, David Kem said. Had the rodeo had average attendance, it would have ended up with a profit that it had hoped to use to contribute to the high school equestrian program and a fund for building a permanent arena.
The Kems and Coffin want to assure the community and their sponsors that the event will continue.
The committee is starting to plan fund-raising events to help build a literal “rainy day” fund to help out when the weather goes bad and ensure that the rodeo will always continue.
They thanked their sponsors especially, along with their volunteers, for supporting the rodeo. They also wanted to thank all of the “die-hard” fans who showed up despite the lousy weather.
The rodeo approached Sweet Home Economic Development Group (SHEDG) on July 20 to ask for funds to pay back the family that is not connected to the rodeo. The SHEDG board is considering the request and looking at further information provided by the rodeo, including a possible continuing relationship between SHEDG and the rodeo.