Rodeo Roots

When Larry and Judy Parker moved to Clearwater in 1965, little did they know they would spark the idea for one of the hottest rodeo tickets in Nebraska.

On Nov. 9, Clearwater Chamber of Commerce honored the Judy Parker, the late Larry Parker and Steve Patras, of Clearwater, for orchestrating the first Clearwater Rodeo in 1967 and named the new building on the grounds the Double P Tack Room. Larry Parker died in 2004, in an automobile accident near Mission, South Dakota.

During Saturday's event, chamber president Curt Thiele said the rodeo's legacy begins with the Parkers and Patras.

"It's why we chose to name this building after you," he said.

The Parkers were married only three days when they relocated to Clearwater and started careers in education at Clearwater Public School. Larry taught science, while Judy shared her mastery in English and served as yearbook advisor. Both Larry and Judy spent time as class sponsors during their tenure.

Outside school hours, the Parkers formed a bulldogging team, traveling around the countryside to compete in rodeos.

Needing practice space, they approached Bill Gibbs, owner of L-Bar-B Steakhouse, about using land behind the restaurant. Gibbs granted the request with one stipulation: put on a rodeo.

That spring, the Parkers and Patras ventured to the banks of the Elkhorn River and cut willow trees to be utilized as posts. According to the Clearwater Historical Society, area farmers donated wire to be used for fencing.

Local volunteers helped frame the first practice area, which remains in approximately the same spot now.

In July 1967, the first rodeo occurred. Those first performances took place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Similar to today, the rodeo relied on townspeople to volunteer to bring the event to fruition.

"Middleton Lumber donated plans and cement blocks for seating. Judy did the secretary's job, Benny Prater took flyers town to town, Elmer Maulding cut the branches that had sprouted from the posts, Dean's Market sold concessions, the stock was provided by Larry's dad and the rough stock was provided by Papstein of Norfolk. Judy's and Larry's parents and aunts and uncles took tickets," according to information from Clearwater Historical Society.

In 1968, Clearwater's Chamber of Commerce assumed yearly operations.

Since then, chamber members have spent countless hours upgrading rodeo grounds, increased attendance to more than 4,500 attendees over the three-day event, added a popular Main Street concert on Satuday evenings and featured added prize money for each event.

More than 100 volunteers help each night of the rodeo, which always runs the last full weekend in June.