VFW Rodeo starts next week

Independence Day is coming up, and that means that Wimberley’s oldest annual event, the VFW Rodeo kicks off next week.

The 74th annual Wimberley VFW Rodeo begins next Thursday, July 4, and runs Friday and Saturday evenings at the Chester Franklin Rodeo Arena at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6441 on Jacobs Well Road.

Saturday night will be Glen Keith Night, and Wimberley’s own Hall of Fame bull rider will be honored during the festivities.

This year, beer sales on the rodeo grounds will be by Middleton Brewery. Rodeo guests still may bring small coolers with alcoholic beverages, but beer sales will be available for those who don’t wish to carry ice chests.

Advance tickets may be purchased at the VFW hall, 401 Jacobs Well Road from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2. Advance ticket prices are $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 years old and under. On these days, tickets also may be purchased by phone (512-847-6441). Cash, check or major credit cards are accepted. Tickets at the gate on the nights of the rodeo will be $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

A limited number of box seat tickets may be available for $25 on advance ticket purchase days.

On the nights of the rodeo, gates will open at 5:30 with the first mutton busting event at 7. The rodeo begins at 8. Events will include bull riding, tie down calf roping, bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team toping, women’s breakaway roping and women’s barrel racing.

The Wimberley VFW Rodeo is a pro/open event sanctioned by the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association and sponsored by VFW Post 6441. Proceeds are used to support veterans and a variety of community activities and organizations. The rodeo producer is Bo Davis of Gonzales, and the stock contractor is the Cadillac Rodeo Company.