Greater Athens April 2022 | Page 17

Pro-rodeo time in Athens is more than a few days on the calendar . It ’ s a feeling and a decades long tradition .
Though it ’ s been around since the ‘ 80s in some form or fashion , lately the production has had a new name , The First Responder PRCA Rodeo .
Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said sponsor Hayden Elder approached the Henderson County Peace Officers Association a couple of years ago about getting involved with the rodeo production . The sheriff said it was such a big undertaking they should bring the Fire Chief ’ s Association . Proceeds from the rodeo benefit both groups .
Like many events , COVID knocked out the 2020 rodeo , but it made a comeback in April 2021 .
“ It went really well last year ,” Hillhouse said . “ Saturday night was a sell out .”
He said it was nice to see everything come together . Setting the stage for the rodeo takes a lot of work . That means arranging for stock , hiring the announcer , concessions and much more .
“ It takes about eight months to get it ready ,” Hillhouse said .
Down through the years in Henderson County , there have been rodeos pop up on special occasions . LaPoynor and Mabank have had them for years . But for the Athens area , the opening of the arena at Fair Park Coliseum was a game changer .
The main arena seats about 4,500 . Today , they view the riding and roping with an ungraded sound system and big fans in the ceiling . The parking lot has been freshly paved within the past few years . It ’ s never been a better time to take in a show .
Andy Stewart , who was announcer for the Athens event a few years ago , said the city is a prime location for a stem-winder of a show .
“ You live in an area heavily populated with good cowboys ,” Stewart said . “ There are a lot of top guys in the industry who live within a hundreds miles of you . On top of that , there are guys who know it ’ s a top rodeo and come to compete .”
After the annual livestock show , prorodeo the next big thing on the menu . Folks come from miles around to see it and even farther to show their skills and try to take home a little prize money .
You can bet at each Henderson County rodeo performance there are plenty of people
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Greater Athens Magazine | April 2022 | 15