Rodeo Kickoff Held Wednesday Night

There was "gunplay", cowboys and cowgirls, music, food and fun in downtown Effingham Wednesday night to kick off the 2015 Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals.

Wayne was downtown to take plenty of photos and also to capture video footage of the "Return of the Gunslingers". Check it out on our social media sites.

Here are some photos from last night:

First, a couple of shots from last night's cowboy re-enactment. The lawman (Bob Fergus) investigates a reported bank robbery.

Then, the showdown involving Larry "Ringo" Ring using his six-gun to help settle the score.

The parade featured the rodeo contestants in this weekend's finals at the fairgrounds at Altamont.

Some cowgirls also took part in the procession:

The scene shifts to the Effingham County Fairgrounds for rodeo competitions at 7pm Thursday, 7pm Friday and at noon and 6pm Saturday.

A mention that the time for mutton bustin has been moved for the rodeo competitions to 8:15pm. Signup is still from 5-6pm.

Our Greg Sapp had the opportunity to visit with reigning Rodeo Queen Rebecca Anderson Wednesday. Here's their conversation: