Rodeo brings Mustang back to the good ole’ days
The Mustang Round Up Club will hold its rodeo Friday and Saturday night during the Western Days Festival.
By Traci Chapman
It’s been 40 years since the first Western Days in Mustang and perhaps this year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Heritage” has no stronger meaning than when speaking about the annual Roundup Club Open Rodeo.
Technically speaking, the Roundup Club’s first event wasn’t held during Western Days, but right after, organizer Coeta Morrel said.
“The first time it was held the weekend after Labor Day, but then we realized it was just a perfect venue for it to actually be a part of Western Days, and it’s been one of the most popular parts of it ever since,” Morrel said.
Morrel knows what she’s talking about, a long-time Roundup Club member who’s been active in everything “horses and rodeo” in Mustang for more than four decades, in fact since the 1960s. Her enthusiasm for the club, its members and its signature event aren’t unusual – the two-night event is always packed with spectators and participants alike, she said.
“Most people try to get their pretty early because we always have a good crowd, some people come from a really long way so that makes a big difference – we have great competitive events and a lot of fun for everyone, no matter how interested or involved they are in the rodeo,” Morrel said. “It’s always a great show and a great rodeo for everyone.”
Not only do audiences and attendees for Western Days come from throughout the state, and some beyond, but also competitors, Morrel said.
“We have a lot of local, area people who take part but there are also some who travel here to take part, sometimes more than one night,” she said. “The Roundup Club is very important in the community, including with the students who are in FFA and 4-H, things like that, but we’re also very well-known with people who know about rodeos.”
The rodeo will be held from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10.
Cost for advance rodeo tickets is $7 for adults and $4 for children; at the gate, those tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children.
Advance tickets are available in Mustang at Cornerstone Bank, FAA Credit Union, Mustang Chamber of Commerce, Yukon National Bank and from Roundup Club members.
Work on the Western Days rodeo begins long before the event itself, and Mustang Roundup Club members are active in the community, not only with events, but also doing community service and helping promote Mustang as a whole, Morrel said.
“We have a great group, a very active group, and we’re all proud to be part of Roundup Club, the rodeo and Western Days too,” she said.
For more information about the rodeo and the rest of the Western Days events, go online to www.mustangwesterndays.com.
