News Update

POSTED: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009

Lynden Rodeo attracts record number of competitors

LYNDEN - Bull riders and bucking broncos will take center stage during the Lynden PRCA Rodeo on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28-29.

The show begins at 7:30 both nights at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center.

The rodeo will feature 312 contestants, up 74 percent from last year, when it was named best small rodeo of the year by the Columbia River Pro-Rodeo Circuit.

One of this year's competitors is Trevor Brazile, seven-time all-around champion and current all-around leader in the 2009 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. Brazile will compete in tie-down roping and team roping.

Six other cowboys in the top 20 all-around standings - including Clint Robinson, Curtis Cassidy, Josh Peek and Ryan Jarrett - also will compete for prize money. Several contestants are from Washington, including Bellingham resident Tanya Cocco.

"This is absolutely an incredible lineup of contestants," Chris Paul, director of volunteers for the rodeo, said in a news release. "The tremendous support of our sponsors and volunteers has given us a great reputation among cowboys, and more of the best are now coming here."

In addition to bull riding, barrel racing and other traditional events, the rodeo also will feature wild cow milking and mutton busting, in which children ride sheep, said fair manager Jim Baron.

During wild cow milking, cows that aren't particularly tame are turned loose and teams of people try to milk them, Baron said. The first team to get milk in a bottle and cross the finish line wins.

Advance tickets are $12, available at the fair ticket office, 1775 Front St.; at 354-7777; and online at nwwafair.com/rodeo. Tickets purchased the day of the rodeo are $14.