The Kingsmen have brought rodeo to Kingman every September for decades, but this year they brought more! This year, the Kingsmen’s Andy Devine Pro Rodeo took place last weekend, June 1 & 2. The festivities kicked off with a Taco-Tuesday party at the Tack Shed Saloon on Tuesday, May 28. Barbara Jenkins’s lucky square #77 was the steers choice at Thursday night’s Cow Plop, held in the Boot Barn parking lot. The 100 Club Dinner hosted on Friday kicked off with a buffet from local caterers such as The Garlic Clove and Kingman Chophouse, an open bar, and live-music from Matt Farris and the Half Baked Outlaws. The Rodeo began Saturday night and was followed by a Barn Dance. Guests were invited back for Cowboy Church Sunday morning, followed by a Sunday afternoon rodeo performance.
The Kingsmen’s goal is to bring western heritage to Kingman through rodeo and other equine events and they want to provide their community with the best show possible. Typically the September show is at the end of the PRCA circuit. This causes many top-riders, who have already qualified for nationals, to skip the Kingman event to avoid unnecessary injury. Hosting the rodeo in June places the Kingman show in the middle of the circuit. “We used to be last, now that we’re in the middle we attract more contestants, a better quality of contestants, royalty and performers, and an all together better show,” said Bill Barnes, Kingsmen Treasurer. In addition to providing a better quality rodeo, more contestants came, having the most barrel racers in the slack competition than ever before. While attendance was about half of the typical, standing room only that the September show brings, guests were not disappointed in either performance, with the VIP seating being a mere 10 feet in front of the arena and the events in favor of the animal. If you missed this performance, don’t fret. The Kingmen’s Andy Devine GCPRA Rodeo will take place the last full weekend of September during Andy Devine Days, which will be about two-thirds of the way into the circuit. This performance is expected to bring an excess of 400 contestants to compete in Kingman. For more information on either rodeo and all Kingsmen events, visit www.kingsmenrodeo.org
