Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Sweet Home Rodeo spokeswoman Kellie Kem confirmed that the rodeo’s attendance grew this year.
The rodeo was held over Sportsman’s Holiday, July 13-15.
Friday night’s attendance was 330, an increase of about 150 from last year, Kem said. Saturday had attendance of 601, an increase of almost 200, and Sunday had 218.
Of Sunday’s tickets, 210 were paid, Kem said. In the past, Sunday’s attendance, usually the lowest, has been nearly all complimentary tickets.
Total, the rodeo had 1,149 tickets sold through the gate, Kem said. “We’re way up over last year.”
The rodeo committee had budgeted $10,000 in ticket sales, Kem said, and the rodeo was just shy of that goal.
The rodeo committee isn’t ready to talk about revenue from the event yet, Kem said, but she is certain the event will finish in the black.
The rodeo board still wants to find ways to raise interest in the rodeo within the Sweet Home community, Kem said. The board would like to hear suggestions from the public about what local residents would like to see at the rodeo.
Rodeo is one of the oldest American sports, and it’s “very competitive,” she said. “It’s something I think is so much a part of American heritage.”
It’s also been a big part of this town, she said, and the board would like to make sure it stays a part of Sweet Home.
“Standing at the back gate, I had several cowboys saying that they can’t wait to come to our community because it’s so beautiful,” Kem said. One cowboy came to Sweet Home after another told him he should. He had never thought about it before his friend told him about it.