It’s Labor Day weekend. Sadly, the kids are back in school. The adults are working to pay off the vacation loans. And it is officially the end of summer.
This doesn’t mean it is the end of things to do here in western Oklahoma. In fact, many activities are just ramping up. So what is there to do in our area?
Sayre is a little tired this week.
There isn’t a lot happening, but the Rodeo of Champions is going on at the Beutler Brothers arena in Ackley Park in Elk City. There are concerts, parades, and the rodeo. So go have a great time.
Elk City is buckin’!
Rodeo is in the House! Yep, it is time to get your spurs on, dust off that hat, and go get some dirt in your beer. The rodeo of champions is going on today and the next three days.
For more I for you can go to the Elk City Rodeo website
Parade
Elk City parade is going on Saturday, Sept 5, at around 10 am come get some candy and see all the sights. Price: Free
Concert
10:30 pm – 12:00 am John King is putting on a concert at Ackley Park. Price: Free
Rodeo
You have three fun filled action packed day of cowboy action.
Fri Sept 4 – Dr Pepper night, kids 12 and under get in free with a Dr. Pepper can
Saturday, Sept 5 more rodeo action
The Events are
Bareback Riding
The rider’s got one handhold and has to hold on for eight seconds. Touch the horse, yourself, or your own gear with the free hand and you’re out before the whistle even matters. Score’s split fifty/fifty between the cowboy’s spurring and the horse’s raw bucking power. This is usually how the night opens, and it sets the tone fast.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Rodeo’s oldest event, born out of actual ranch work back in the day. Feet have to be planted over the bronc’s shoulders right at the start, then the rider syncs his spurring to the horse’s rhythm for eight seconds. It looks smoother than bareback riding, but don’t mistake smooth for easy.
Steer Wrestling
Cowboy drops off a moving horse, grabs a steer by the horns, and wrestles it flat — fastest time wins. Sounds like a bar bet. It’s one of the hardest events in the sport — nobody’s repeated as world champ since Ote Berry back in 1990-91. A lot of it rides on the hazer, the guy keeping the steer running straight so the wrestler even has a shot.
Tie-Down Roping
A 250-pound calf gets a head start, then the cowboy chases it down, ropes it, jumps off, runs the rope down, flips the calf on its side, and ties three legs — with a piggin’ string he’s been holding in his teeth the whole time. All of that happens in a matter of seconds. It’s controlled chaos.
Team Roping
The only true team event on the card. Header ropes the horns or neck and turns the steer left; heeler catches both back legs. Clock starts when they leave the box, stops when the ropes go tight, and the horses square up. Miss a leg, add five seconds. Header breaks the steer’s head start early, add ten.
Women’s Barrel Racing
No judges — just a clock, and the clock doesn’t care about anybody’s feelings. One rider, three barrels, a cloverleaf pattern. Electronic eye starts the time when she enters, stops it when she’s out. Times get split to the hundredth of a second. Go fast or go home.
Bull Riding
Saved for last every night for a reason. Eight seconds on a bull with one hand looped through a rope — no free hand touching anything, no falling off. Perfect score is 100, half rider and half bull. With animals pushing a ton trying to put you in the dirt, this is the event that gets people out of their seats.
Wear purple
This Sunday is Wear Purple for Alzheimer’s, and each year the Elk City Rodeo donates funds to help the Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collaborative get their message out.
Prices
Ticket Prices
Bleachers, general admission:
Adults: $12 in advance, $14 the day of the rodeo.
Children: $10 in advance, $12 the day of the rodeo.
Children 5 and under are FREE in bleacher seating.
Grandstand Seating, reserved:
Section 103 (on the 50-yard-line): $25 in advance and $30 the day of the rodeo.
All other sections: $20 in advance and $25 the day of the rodeo.
No discount for children.
South Chairbacks, reserved:
$20 in advance and $25 the day of the rodeo.
No discount for children.
Pre-sale ticket sales end at 11:55 pm of the day before that rodeo performance.
Clinton
Saturday, Sept. 5 – Century Lap on Route 66 (main event)
if you are a fan of classic cars, then this event will be just for you. If you are a fan of all things Route 66, then this celebration is all you will need. It is the Century Lap on Route 66 in Clinton, OK,
- What: A classic/vintage car show celebrating Clinton’s Route 66 heritage, with 30 vehicle classes, food trucks, and craft/vendor booths along Frisco Avenue in downtown Clinton. carstoshow
- When: Morning into early afternoon (listed as roughly 8 a.m.–1 p.m. in event listings).
- Where: Downtown Clinton along Frisco Ave. (the historic Route 66 corridor).
- Why it matters locally: It’s a small‑town, family‑friendly festival that pulls car clubs and visitors from across western Oklahoma and the Panhandle, fitting Clinton’s “Hub City” identity on the Mother Road. kansascityfed
Then after that, there is a VA event
Wednesday, Sept. 2 – VA Community Engagement Event (just before the weekend)
- What: A free PACT Act/benefits outreach event for veterans and families, hosted by the Oklahoma City VA at the C&A Emergency Management Building.
- When: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2. va
- Where: 2015 Dog Patch Road, Clinton. va
Weatherford
For the Folks in Weatherford, you are in luck, you don’t have anything drawing you away from enjoying classic cars and rodeos. Pick one or pick both, and enjoy what is happening in Clinton and Elk City.