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Oakley rodeo turns 80 this year

Organizers are tweaking some of the events surrounding this year’s Fourth of July celebration in Oakley.

The annual Fourth of July parade route is going to be reversed and many of the events formerly held at the town park will now move to Oakley’s Recreation Complex and Red Barn.

Andy Woolstenhulme, rodeo committee member, said since the city recently completed the Red Barn, which is located at the rodeo complex, organizers wanted to take advantage of the new community facility.

"With it being up-to-date and brand new, we wanted to highlight that building and have as much going on there as possible," Woolstenhulme said.

Several events are taking place throughout the week leading up to the Fourth of July weekend celebrations. The Youth Open Horse Show kicks off the week Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

The 80th annual Oakley PRCA Rodeo is scheduled to be held July 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each show will be followed by a fireworks performance. Tickets are $15 per event. The Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, events are completely sold out.

However, Woolstenhulme said tickets are still available for the Wednesday and Thursday night rodeos, but are "filling in quickly."

"I encourage people to come out and enjoy it," Woolstenhulme said. "I know the weekend is sold out, but the rodeo will be every bit as good as Friday and Saturday on the other nights."

The rodeo entries have nearly doubled this year compared to last year, Woolstenhulme said, adding that attendees should anticipate "more world-class contestants for each event."

July 3 is "Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night," where spectators and contestants are encouraged to wear pink to honor breast cancer awareness.

Three local residents, Shirley Woolstenhulme, Jeanie Glade and Deb Johnson, who have "dedicated a lot of their lives" to helping run the concession stands, will also be honored Friday night at the rodeo, according to Mayor Wade Woolstenhulme.

The annual celebrations are a huge revenue source for the city and the money helps to sustain the town for the rest of the year, Woolstenhulme said. A significant number of people flock to Oakley for the parade and the celebrations, Woolstenhulme said, adding it "sure helps the businesses."

"With what we earn off of the rodeo and sponsorship and things, it subsidized the tax base immensely," Woolstenhulme said. "Our stands seat 5,500 and are always sold out for at least three nights and possibly four, depending on what we do for Wednesday."

Festivities in Oakley on the Fourth of July will include a patriotic program, special needs rodeo, co-ed softball tournament, 5k race and plenty of activities for kids.

For more information about the events or to purchase tickets contact Oakley City Hall 435-783-5753 or go to http://www.oakleycity.com .

  • Oakley Independence Day Rodeo and Celebration 2015 Schedule of Events
  • Saturday, June 27
  • 10:30 a.m. Youth Open Horse Show
  • Wednesday, July 1
  • 4 p.m. Special Needs Rodeo
  • 8 p.m. PRCA Rodeo
  • Thursday, July 2
  • 8 p.m. PRCA Rodeo
  • Friday, July 3
  • All day Co-ed softball tournament
  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at the Red Barn
  • 8 p.m. PRCA Rodeo
  • Saturday, July 4
  • 7 a.m. 5k race
  • 10 a.m. Parade
  • 11:30 a.m. Patriotic Program and barbecue- Red Barn
  • 1 p.m. Jr. Rodeo and kids activities
  • 8 p.m. PRCA Rodeo

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