Good time all-about-kids Veyo Rodeo continues at new arena

Written by Sheldon Demke
August 6, 2016

VEYO —  If the best kind of rodeo is the kind that families and friends want to come back to year after year, then the Veyo Rodeo gets top prize in Bob Bowler’s book.

Young cowboy ready for action at t he Veyo Rodeo in the all new Veyo Rodeo Arena, Veyo, Utah, Aug. 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Young cowboy ready for action at t he Veyo Rodeo in the all new Veyo Rodeo Arena, Veyo, Utah, Aug. 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

“I get a little lump in my throat because I like kids,” said Bob Bowler, whose family has always volunteered to help put the Veyo Rodeo together over the years. “I try to make it a kid rodeo. That’s what I want. You can go to a pro-rodeo everywhere to watch the good pro-cowboys, but you can’t go a lot of places where you can just see kids having fun and I think they have fun here.”

The Veyo Rodeo is held at the new Veyo Rodeo Arena, just across from the cemetery and city park, off state Route 18. Organizers say the best way to tell someone how to get to the arena is to “come to town and follow the rodeo signs.”

Saturday the 2016 Veyo Rodeo’s final night begins at  8 p.m. Its schedule promises plenty of outstanding competition from barrel racing to team roping to good-old-fashioned mutton-bustin’ for the kids. Other highlights include calf roping, breakaway roping, chicken chasing for the little ones and even a greased pig chase for those who don’t mind getting just a little bit dirty.

Brittnee Bennett, rodeo secretary, said she loves everything about the rodeo.

Families, with their youngest to oldest, enjoyed the all-about-kids Veyo Rodeo Friday night. Veyo Rodeo Arena, Veyo, Utah, Aug. 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Families, with their youngest to oldest, enjoyed the all-about-kids Veyo Rodeo Friday night. Veyo Rodeo Arena, Veyo, Utah, Aug. 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

“It’s a great community rodeo for everybody to come to,” Bennett said. “You can bring your family and you get to see a bunch of cowboy, cowgirl events, and have a good time and eat some good food.”

Kenna Bowler’s enthusiasm for the Veyo Rodeo is contagious.

“We keep it a kids rodeo, a family rodeo,” she said. “It’s great to watch these kids come back year after year and do better and better every year. We grow up with them and they grow up with us.”

The Bowler family helped get the Veyo Rodeo back up and running after it had been put on a shelf for 12 years due to rising insurance costs, Kenna Bowler said, and lack of a public space for the event. Six years ago Bob Bowler and others took on the challenge to get the rodeo back on its feet. They found there were plenty of volunteers and donations from local businesses ready to help build the new Veyo Rodeo Arena.

“Everything we make goes back into the rodeo, back into the community,” Bob Bowler said, adding that without his wife, Kenna, little would have been accomplished. “I just try to help. You look at the kids, it’s a kid rodeo.”

Rodeo gals and royalty sparkled at the all new Veyo Rodeo Arena Friday night. Veyo Rodeo, Veyo, Utah, Aug. 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Rodeo gals and royalty (Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen 2016 shown at far right) sparkled at the all new Veyo Rodeo Arena Friday night. Veyo Rodeo, Veyo, Utah, Aug. 5, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

McKayla Jimmerson, 2016 Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen, was there Friday night enjoying her role as ambassador of the sport.

“I love it. I’ve been involved in rodeo my whole life,” Jimmerson said. “Being involved in the sport of rodeo has brought me so much further in life with not only my rodeo skills but in personal skills and speaking skills. I get to go to different rodeos and represent my title.”

Everyone enjoys coming out to the Veyo Rodeo, Jimmerson said, adding:

“Come out and watch the greatest sport of rodeo!”

• Event details and resources follow below •

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Event details

 

  • What: Veyo Rodeo 2016
  • When: August 6, 8 p.m.
  • Where: At the new Veyo Rodeo Arena – On Chad Road Across from the Cemetery/Park.
  • Cost: Gate Prices: Adults, $5; ages 6-12, $3; under 6, free.
  • Extras: Concessions available
  • Resources: Veyo Rodeo Facebook page

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheldon Demke is a film maker and self proclaimed Local Celebrity. He resides in St. George where he joined the video production team of St. George News. Among his other interests are acting, movies and family.

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1 Comment

  • .... August 6, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Yep ! Nothing like teaching children how to abuse animals eh ?

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