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Jeff ‘Jackrabbit’ Harris prepares to sign autographs with his rodeo friends at a Meet and Greet at Grafton Center Saturday, Aug. 19. Jackrabbit will be part of the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum festivities Saturday, Sept. 2. Wyndi Veigel | Citizen staff photo -
Tim Turnbeaugh sang at the Meet & Greet Saturday, Aug. 19. The event was held in preparation of the Saturday, Sept. 2 Rodeo Heritage Museum Anniversary Celebration. Courtesy photo
The 20th anniversary of the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum is promising a Sept. 2 celebration almost as rich as the town’s history, capping off with the Everett Colborn Memorial Bull Riding competition at Dublin City Park at 7:30 p.m.
Lilly G’s Rick Taylor is expecting an exciting event as the slate of riders is nearly full, drawing in people from as far away as South Carolina, New Mexico and Louisiana, all vying for the payouts with $1,500 added in to increase the winnings.
The gates will open at 4 p.m. with vendors on-site and concessions to sate guest’s hunger. The event itself will kick off with a special dedication followed by the start of the riding. Halftime will feature the return of Jeff “Jackrabbit” Harris with a special routine.
This will be followed by a Bull Poker event (if enough brave souls sign up from the audience) in which a bull is turned loose in the arena where people are seated around a table. The last to leave their seat will claim a cash prize.
The riders will then re-enter the ring to finish up the competition, expected to end at 9 p.m.
Those wishing to enter as riders or vendors can call Rick Taylor at (254) 4590141.
Raffle tickets will also be sold at the event by the Cowboy Capital MS Trail Ride, for a choice of two guns. Tickets benefit multiple schlerosis research and $10 will get participants into the drawing for both guns. Tickets will be sold Saturday morning of the celebration in the vendor area and in the evening at the bull riding. Winners will be drawn at next year’s trail ride.
The rodeo will offer a big finish for a day-long event starting with a grand country and western parade at 9:30 a.m., following the traditional route from the Memorial Stadium, down Travis then through downtown on Patrick Street.
Taylor expects it to be one of Dublin’s biggest parades with riding clubs from all over Texas, sheriff’s posses, families of rodeo museum honorees, stage coaches, wagons and more registered for the procession. The deadline to enter the parade is Friday, Aug. 25. Call (254) 445-0200 for more information.
Vendor booths , activities and nonprofits will be set up at Wright Park and the Public Library Lawn and open at 10 a.m. for people to visit after the parade. Registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 25. Call (254) 445-0200 for info.
The museum will induct the 2021 and 2022 honorees into the Honor and Memorial Walk inside the museum entrance at 11 a.m.
This will be followed at 11:15 a.m. with the branding wall ceremony in which new brands will be seared into the cedar wall At 11:45 a.m. guests can take home a piece of history as cedar blocks on brass plates will be emblazoned with the Lightning C Ranch outside. Plates require a $25 registration with the deadline being Friday, Aug. 25.
A BBQ street taco lunch will follow at noon with plates set at $15 each. Each meal includes four tacos, beans and rice, dessert and an iced tea. Tickets can be reserved by calling (254) 445-0200.
At 1 p.m. winners will be announced in the Country and Western Photography Contest held in partnership with the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council (CTFAC). Locals are invited to enter their western-themed photos for consideration and a chance to win up to $100 in cash prizes.
Photo entries can be no larger than 16” by 20”, must be family friendly and are subject to board discretion. Entries must be accompanied by completed release form/photographer information, entry information form and an entry fee.
Entry fees are $10 and photographers may enter two photos.
All submissions must be dropped off at CTFAC office at 148 West College Street in Stephenville by 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26.
Winners will be announced in the gallery installed at 113 E. Blackjack and a free public viewing of the works will follow until 4 p.m.
The schedule includes a break for guests to explore Dublin’s museum’s and downtown businesses before the old school auditorium on Camden Street opens up for a free showing of the recently remastered documentary, “From Dublin To Madison Square Garden,” telling the story of the World Championship Rodeo and Dublin’s inextricable ties to it.
This all leads to the rodeo at the park for a exciting end to a full day.