STILLWATER, Okla. – Cowboys and rodeos are two things that just go together. The cowboys and cowgirls of the Oklahoma State Rodeo Team along with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources are proud to present the 2017 Cowboy Stampede, Oct. 5-7 at the Payne County Fairgrounds.

While the OSU Rodeo Team has been a tradition at Oklahoma State for over 70 years, this will be the fourth year hosting the Cowboy Stampede. In the previous years, this three-day event has brought more than 500 competitors representing 18 different colleges to Stillwater.

For the second year, the Stampede will serve as the official kickoff to “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration” presented by the OSU Alumni Association.

The rodeo will feature special guest appearances by OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl, Ann; DASNR vice president Tom Coon and his wife, Rhonda; the 2017 Homecoming Royalty Court; and the 2017 Homecoming Executive Team.

“We are excited to maintain the tradition of competitive collegiate rodeo in the community and to provide a family fun event that people of all ages will enjoy,” said Cody Hollingsworth, rodeo program coordinator and head coach.

Hungry rodeo spectators can enjoy a variety of food trucks that will be on site each evening, including I Don’t Know, I Don’t Care on Thursday and Purdy-Q on Thursday and Saturday, Café Bella on Friday, Two Roaming Bison and Spot On Mobile Kitchen on Friday and Saturday. Purdy-Q Sweet Treats will be on site all three nights.

On Friday beginning at 6 p.m., children can enjoy stick horse races, pin the tail on Bullet, a Homecoming coloring sheets and roping a dummy in a Kids’ Corral. Children also will receive an orange OSU bandanna for joining in on the fun.

Rodeo team alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect over dinner at the inaugural Alumni Barbeque and Silent Auction on Saturday.

Hollingsworth said, a special thanks goes to Gold Buckle sponsors, Cavender’s Western Wear and Visit Stillwater, for being loyal contributors in making this family fun and community-wide event possible year after year.

“This event would not be possible without help from our sponsors,” he said. “We are so lucky to have a community that supports our rodeo like they do.”

The Cowboy Stampede is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The NIRA includes 11 national regions, and OSU participates in the Central Plains Region, which features 18 colleges and universities from Kansas and Oklahoma, totaling more than 500 regional competitors.

Each evening’s performance will feature nine events. The students will be competing as individuals and as a team. Championship buckles will be presented to event and all-around winners at Saturday night’s championship performance.

Tickets are $10 each, and children five years or younger are free. Discounted tickets at $5 are available with an OSU ID, school ID or OSU Alumni Association membership.

Advance tickets are on sale online at rodeo.okstate.edu and Cavender’s in Stillwater.

Tickets also will be sold at the gate while supplies last prior to each performance. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and performances will begin at 7 p.m. nightly.

Visit rodeo.okstate.edu for more information about the Cowboy Stampede and the OSU Rodeo Team.

The OSU Rodeo Team is a program within the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. It began in 1946 when six young men started practicing and competing together after they returned from World War II. The OSU Rodeo Team has been a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association since 1948 and competes in the Central Plains Region. Today, the OSU Rodeo Team provides an opportunity for students to continue to grow in their sport in addition to gaining a top-notch education. For more information, visit rodeo.okstate.edu.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:

Melissa Mourer

Communications Coordinator

Agricultural Communications Services

144 Agriculture North

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK 74078

Phone: 405-744-3737

Email: melissa.mourer@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating: Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.