August 16, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Wednesday, August 16,2023 Broadway Star Kelli O’Hara Scheduled to Sing at Rodeo of Champions beat the buzzer and get paid for their efforts. ‘The third performance will take place Sunday, Sept. 3rd. This is the Oklahoma State University night. Bullet and the OSU Spir- it Rider, Elk City native Abigail Thomas, will make an appearance. Wayne Brooks from Lampasas, Oklahoma, will return to the microphone for the 15th year. He was a bareback rider before turning to announcing rodeos across the United States and Can- ada. He is a ten-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo announcer; 16-time Canadian National Finals Rodeo announcer; and five- Irish Traveler’s Celebrate Birthday time PRCA Announcer of the Year award winner. Rodeo clown Dusty Myers will be in Elk City for the first time. He comes from Mississippi and patterns himself after comedians from the ‘50s and ‘60s, such as Red Skelton and Milton Berle. Myers believes his job is to have fun, to have people enjoy them- selves, and to entertain during the down time in the rodeo. with Route 66 Trip Bullfighters Chuck Swisher and Weston Rutkowski will be on hand to protect the bull riding contestants. Swisher is from King- By Sheryl Ponce fisher and the son of a bull rider. He began his career when he was ‘The Elk City National Route 66 Museum Complex is a wel- 15 years old, being hired to work at the Elk City Rodeo. Rutkow- ski is from Cleburne, Texas, and has worked the Elk City rodeo come tourist attraction for tourists from across the United since 2016. He also competes in freestyle bullfighting. States and the world. Friday, Aug. 11th, Aiden and Kellie Peo- By Sheryl Ponce Once again, the stock contractor will be the Beutler and Son ples, from northwestern Ireland, stopped by the museum on their trek west on Route 66. The trip was a birthday present Rodeo Stock. They have been in the business since 1928, when ‘The Elk City Rodeo Association announced that Elk City na- Elra Beutler and his brothers, Jake and Lynn, started providing for Aiden when planning began last Sept. tive and Broadway star, Kelli O’Hara, will be at the 85th Annual livestock for rodeos. Last year, Bennie Beutler and son, Rhett ‘The couple landed in Chicago to rent a car, only to test Rodeo of Champions to sing the national anthem on Sat., Sept. Beutler, swept all three rough stock awards at the Wrangler Na- their skills at driving on the right side of the road. They both 2nd. This special event will be just one of the many attractions tional finals Rodeo, admitted that as long as there was traffic, it was not too dif- Tickets go on sale in late August. They can be purchased at ficult to know which side of the road was correct. When they and features for this year's rodeo. Beutler Bros. Arena in Elk City, Circle A Western Wear, or at the were on the road alone, it became a bit trickier. Beginning on Friday, Sept. 1st, the rodeo will kick-off with “The first day, coming out of the car park at the airport “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night. Everyone is encouraged gate each night of the rodeo. Prices for bleacher seating are $11 was hard, especially because when we left the car park or the to wear pink to show awareness of breast cancer. In addition to in advance for adults and $12 at the gate, children are $9 in ad- vance and $10 at the gate. Children under five are free in bleacher airport, we had to go into Chicago center. I think if you're do- wearing pink, all kids 12 and under will get in free to the bleacher ing it, you'd better leave the airport and try to get somewhere seats. Grandstand seats are $15 in advance for all ages, including seating with a Dr. Pepper can. to practice,” Aiden said. children, and $18 at the gate. Early Sat. Sept. 2nd, line the streets to watch the “Scoot a He also said that the biggest surprise has been the size Box seats, chute seats and skybox seat tickets are available at Boot on Route 66” parade. It will start at 10 a.m. from south the rodeo ticket office only. Tickets must be paid for by cash or of the states. They drove 300 miles in one day, from Chicago Main Street and travel north to 3rd Street. After an afternoon of credit cards, no checks will be taken. For more information on to St. Louis. This is the same length of the whole country of shopping downtown, grabbing lunch, and resting a bit, head out tickets or to get on the waiting list for box seats and chute seats, Ireland, from the top to the bottom. to the second evening of rodeo events in the Beutler Bros. Arena call Margo Davis at 405-317-7161. “We've never even driven from the top to the bottom (in ‘The Beutler rodeo stock will be there to challenge the cowboys to Ireland),” he continued. Because the car they were driving was comfortable, the trip has not been difficult. The exception is when Route 66 goes back and forth from the original road to the interstate. ‘That part they both agreed was somewhat confusing. ‘The best part of the trip, so far, has been ina filling station in Springfield, Missouri. There was a mural they liked, and a passerby stopped to take their pictures in front of it. They missed a festival that was happening the following day. ‘They said that they have found everything to be bigger in the United States, especially the trucks. The roads in Ireland are narrow. They are just wide enough for one small car. Aiden said that there are tall hedges or what he called grass walls on either side of the roads, therefore, a pickup would not even fit on the road. Additionally, the roads in Ireland are not See Traveler’s page 2. Rodeo Parade Entries Deadline Nears Elk City Chamber of By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Elk City Chamber of Commerce and the Elk City Commerce Leadership Rodeo Association are looking for individuals and organiza- tions to participate in the 85th Annual Rodeo Parade. This, Class Explores year it will take place Sat., Sept. 2nd, at 10 a.m. The deadline to enter is Aug. 24th, Return the entry form to the Elk City Chamber of Commerce, located at the corner of Main and Finance and Tourism Broadway. ‘This year's theme is “Scoot a Boot on Route 66,” and the Elk City Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class IX winner of the best overall themed float will receive $100. All participate in Finance and Tourism Day by visiting the entries will need to check in at 515 S. Main St. in front of new Aquatic Center, Route 66 Museum, Old Town Muse- Hutchinson Oil between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. for parade place- um, and played pickleball at the Arrowhead Museum. They ment. All of the entries must be in line no later than 9:15 heard from curator Charles Wren at the Old Town Muse- am. um. Members of Class IX include Dyland Anderson, Mike Parade categories are commercial, antique vehicles, beau- Bawden, Greg Britton, Jonathan Butcher, Susan Feather- ston, Jennifer Hagerman, Amanda Hammond, Nate Hicks, ty pageant, riding clubs, schools or school organizations, Teresa Kilhoffer, Tahner Loyd, Shannon Pirus, Randy club organizations, and churches. There will be over $1700 in Smith, and Karen Touchstone. Courtesy photos, prizes awarded, and all of the categories will be awarded for See More Photos page 2. See Parade page 2. «AQUA Weather tomorrow ® 100/ Vol. 120, No. 66 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com