-Isms: Views on life in rural America

It’s almost “the best weekend in June.” Are we having fun yet?

With the exception of contestant pages, the rodeo program has been at the printer for almost two weeks. Hallelujah!

There are plenty of noticable changes.

At the rodeo grounds, the bull - formerly part of the old steakhouse sign - towers above the entrance, foreshadowing action visitors are about to view. The bull’s devilish facial expression may be a nod to Laredo, the infamous bull that reveled in jumping the fence in the early days of Clearwater’s Big Rodeo.

The bull also reminds me a bit of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, staring at passersby from a billboard advertisement in “The Great Gatsby.” IYKYK.

Rodeo crew volunteers added to the south concession stand, making the traffic flow easier for workers and customers.

Fences are painted, landscaping added and skyboxes cleaned.

No matter what part you play, it’s amazing how many volunteers keep showing up, year after year, to produce the three-day event. I hear it often when talking to residents from other towns. They’re simply amazed at this community’s willingness to make rodeo weekend the absolute best. It speaks volumes about what the rodeo, in its 57th year, means to our village, its residents and businesses.

Keep up the good work, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce members and community volunteers.