Rodeo and fireworks display to celebrate Fourth of July
NORTH COUNTY – Independence Day will be celebrated with fireworks and a rodeo again this year in the North County with the 72nd Annual Chesaw Rodeo and an expanded community fireworks display in Oroville.
This year’s Fourth of July Rodeo events take place on Friday and start at 10 a.m. with the small sports. The parade is at 12:30 p.m. and the rodeo follows at 1 p.m.
The rodeo features two forms of saddle bronc riding this year. Along with the regular saddle broncs, the rodeo has added ranch saddle broncs. Modern day rodeo traces its roots back to bronco riding and busting horses to the saddle. While similar to professional bronc riding, the difference between that and ranch bronc riding is that the cowboys ride using their everyday work saddle, rigged like they were going to go to work on the ranch that morning.
The rodeo also features bareback and cow riding, as well as barrel racing and the Men’s Wild Cow milking. For the kids there’s the Kid’s Calf Scramble.
The night before the rodeo, on Thursday, July 3, there will be the Country Western Dance with music by One Gun and the Long Shot. The dance is for families and people of all ages and starts at 9 p.m. and goes to 1 a.m. Entry is just $5 per person.
The Oroville Community Fireworks Display, this year organized by the Oroville Chamber of Commerce, is promising expanded activities at Deep Bay Park. The organization wants to add expanded parking, a boat parade, food vendors and more to round out the Independence Day celebration.
Oroville Chamber President Clyde Andrews is also talking about having a national anthem or patriotic song contest, with the winner performing just before the fireworks. the plan is also to auction off the picnic shelters at the park as a way to help raise money for the fireworks display.
Those who would like to contribute in any way to this year’s fireworks display should contact Leah Palmer at 509-429-0201 or Dan Lepley at 509-560-3368. Donations can also be dropped off with Peggy Shaw at Umpqua Bank. We appreciate your support and look forward to this fun filled patriotic day.
