Get Ready for a Buckin’ Good Time!
Get Ready for a Buckin’ Good Time
The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo Kicks Off Independence Day Weekend
Photos / Rich Rumfola, ellicottvilleNOW
Born and raised in Great Valley, John Kent dreamed of riding broncos in the rodeo. As a young man breaking horses at home, he imagined having a dedicated rodeo crew behind him—unlike the pasture at home where he worked alone. While Kent’s cautious mother wouldn’t allow him to join the rodeo, she never said he couldn’t run his own. Little did Kent know that a stranger on his doorstep would make this dream a reality. Now over 30 years later, the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo is still bringing joy and adventure to thousands of people, and 2023 promises to be another great year! Mark your calendar for Fourth of July weekend (June 29th - July 2nd) when cowboys and cowgirls from all over the world will be heading to Ellicottville to compete in nine different events.
Even though Kent did not join the rodeo as a young man, his life has been no less adventurous! When Kent bought the farm at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road in Ellicottville, he couldn’t wait to buy his own horses; three weeks later, he’d already purchased 16! With the support of his family, he decided to open a riding stable, which was met with an enthusiastic response. “Once it caught on, we did 110 to 120 rides a day, six days a week,” said Kent.
While the riding stable was a success in and of itself, many were asking Kent to do more, and he thought about rodeo. “The next thing I knew, there was a guy by the name of Mike Swearingen pounding on my door,” Kent recalled. “He was down here turkey hunting and went to the Gin Mill for a beer and dinner and overheard someone talking about me and my idea. He said, ‘I heard you’re thinking about doing rodeos - my brother and I put them on! Let’s talk.’” And so began a thirty-two-year-long relationship with Rawhide Rodeo, who recently sold to All American Rodeo.
“All American is an excellent rodeo company; this is our third year with them,” said Kent. While Kent owns the Ellicottville Rodeo facilities, which include an announcer’s booth, two offices, and a large kitchen, he hires All American to come in with the animals. This year, the rodeo includes the following nine events: bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, junior bull riding, cowgirls barrel racing, calf roping, cowgirls breakaway roping, and bull riding.
Contestants from all around the world will compete, and Kent anticipates even more contestants this year. “I raised the prize money in the arena to attract more cowboys,” he explained. “Usually, we have 450 to 500 cowboys a year, and they come from all over the world. We get Brazilian cowboys, lots of Canadians, and cowboys from all over the country, including a lot from Texas and Florida. Our clown, Hollywood Harris, is also from Florida.”
This year, Kent says there will be lots of break-away ropers, barrel racers, and plenty of bronc riders, too. “Our show always last two hours and about 30 or 40 minutes. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we start at 7:00pm, with fireworks right after the show every night [excluding Sunday].” On Sunday, July 2nd, the show begins at 2:00pm.
This annual family-friendly event includes fun for all ages! Families with young children can enjoy the kids’ stick horse race, which is open to youth ages 10 and younger. Registration is at the K-M Tack Tent, which is just inside the gate. Camping is allowed on the rodeo grounds (no electricity available), and there are plenty of food vendors along the midway. Gates open two hours prior to the start of each rodeo, so there is plenty of time to have a bite to eat or check out the tack show vendors.
Although tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.ellicottvillerodeo.com, presale tickets are not required for entry. Plenty of tickets will be available at the gate for each day of the rodeo, and parking is free, as always. Those who do wish to purchase tickets in advance should do so by June 24th, as tickets must be mailed in time for the first day of the rodeo on June 29th. For more information, call 716-699-4839, and be sure to follow Ellicottville Rodeo on Facebook.