The 74th annual Taylor Rodeo is galloping to the Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail, July 18-20. The event is typically ranked as one of the top hometown rodeos in the multi-state region covered by the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association.
“It is one of the biggest and best smalltown rodeos anywhere,” said Taylor Rodeo Association President Tim Sims. “It just gets better every year.”
This year the event will feature live music before the competitions start, and top regional bands playing for the post-rodeo dance. Friday’s headliner will
TICKET PRICES AND START TIMES
Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail, Thursday July 18 – Saturday July 20 Gates open at 5:30, events begin at 7:30 Admission: Ages 8 & up, $20. Ages 3-7, $10. Under 3, free. Parking is $5, proceeds donated to local FFA and 4H clubs.
be Kenny Orts & No Chance playing Texas dancehall music. On Saturday, perennial favorites The Debonaires will perform after the rodeo.
Part of the Taylor Rodeo’s brand is its commitment to offering something for everyone. An expanded trade show features clothing, western décor, boots, hats and more for sale. Food trucks and a concession stand offer a wide variety of dining and snack options, including adult beverages. Little kids can take on big sheep in the mutton busting competition. Bigger kids can sign up for the calf scramble, while adults can attempt – and usually fail hilariously – to saddle a wild steer. Local athletes can rope and ride against some of the top cowboys and cowgirls on the circuit.
The rodeo also honors others in the area who serve the community.
“Thursday night is our ticket special for first-responders People in the military, nurses, police and firemen with a badge or ID get in for free. On Friday, school teachers, administrators or anybody who works at a school gets in free with an ID,” Sims said.
On Saturday night, a new rodeo queen will be named. Friday night, the rodeo will present $50,000 in scholarships to 10 students selected from the Milam, Lee and Williamson counties.
“This is our third or fourth year being able to give this amount,” said Sims, who added that many of the recipients are continuing on to trade school. “We do give academic scholarships as well but we like to keep it in the trade-based areas. We are a rodeo so we figure we better hand out some to future plumbers and electricians.”
Sims said that including the scholarships, the association gives $90,000 to $100,000 every year to area fundraising efforts.
“This rodeo is a total community effort on our part. We have so much help it would be impossible to do without the help we get from our sponsors and the (Future Farmers of America) and 4H kids who come and help us,” Sims said. “I don’t know how we’d get along without them, to be honest.”
