The Gerry Volunteer Fire Department has just been notified that their rodeo has received the “Cowboys’ Favorite Rodeo” award for the 2021 rodeo season in the First Frontier Circuit, based on a vote by the contestants as they registered for the recent three-day Circuit Championships in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The First Frontier Circuit is one of twelve PRCA rodeo circuits across the nation and encompasses the area of the original thirteen colonies, with approximately 45 rodeos held in this circuit in 2021.
Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell, says, “We must be doing something right, and receiving this award for the sixth time speaks to the dedication of our department and all of our volunteers and sponsors, as well as our stock contactor, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo”.
This summer’s rodeo in Gerry is scheduled for four performances, Wednesday through Saturday, August 3-6, with more than 200 cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation competing for $50,000 in prize money. In addition, this event features their famous beef barbeque dinners, cooked over wood fires, as well as a midway with more than 20 vendors offering everything from fried dough to Western wear.
This will be the 77th year that the fire department has brought professional rodeo competition to Western New York, making it the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi. All proceeds go to the Volunteer Fire Department which answers approximately 300 fire and rescue calls each year.
Additional information may be found at the rodeo website: www.gerryrodeo.org.