Clearwater Rodeo ready to rock

While the 53rd version of Clearwater's Big Rodeo will look familiar, several adaptations will be in place because of COVID-19 concerns.

According to Clearwater Chamber of Commerce President Curt Thiele, the organization has worked hand-in-hand with North Central District Health Department personnel to develop a plan so the rodeo would come to fruition.

"We're taking precautions," Thiele said, noting hand sanitizer will be available and facilities will be disinfected every two hours.

Social distancing will be encouraged and chamber officials request individuals who feel ill should not attend.

The annual event, dubbed the best weekend in June, will become a July event for this year.

Opening night of action is scheduled for Friday, July 10, with mutton bustin' scheduled for 7 p.m., at Gene Snodgrass Arena.

Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2020 will be crowned prior to the start of rodeo action, at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Slack will run following Friday evening's program.

Hiland Dairy will provide free ice cream that afternoon, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the rodeo grounds.

A sand volleyball tournament, limited to 12 teams, is scheduled for Saturday, July 11. Captains will meet at 8:30 a.m., with tourney play set for a 9 a.m. first serve.

For more information, contact Levi Pofahl at 402-929-0531.

Several food and drink options will be available from local vendors throughout the day.

The Waterhole will open at 11 a.m., and will serve grilled burgers and brats.

L-Bar-B will offer a noon special and be open during regular evening hours.

Tú Casa, a Mexican restaurant based in Norfolk, will park its food truck outside the Summerland Advocate-Messenger office. They will offer street tacos, quesadillas, burritos and nachos.

Saturday evening festivities will begin at 6 p.m., with mutton bustin'. Rodeo events are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.

The Riley Green/Tyler Rich concert is canceled.

Individuals who purchased tickets online will receive a refund, according to Thiele.

No street dances are scheduled for Friday or Saturday evening, due to current directed health measures.

Mutton bustin' will begin at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 12, followed by the first rodeo event of the evening scheduled for 7:30.

A wild cow ride will be held nightly, following the conclusion of bull riding.

Cowboys and cowgirls will vie for added purse money. Nine area businesses, including Kerkman Electric, Inc., JBS, Sanne Service, LLC, Bearinger Tax and Accounting, LLC, Aurora Cooperative, The Tilden Bank - Clearwater branch, DK Feed, Gene Stevens and Palmer Eye Care, P.C., have boosted the bounty for the weekend.

Tickets for adults and youths ages six and older will be available at the gate for $5.

Pre-sale tickets are available at Clearwater Feed and Grain, Hi-Way Mart, Clearwater Market and Summerland Advocate-Messenger, in Clearwater and Thriftway Market in Neligh.

For general information, email [email protected]. For rodeo information, contact Curt Thiele at 402-640-5734.