This is High School Rodeo Week

A gallery of images from the rodeo parade can be found here.

The Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals return to Effingham County this weekend.

The County Fairgrounds at Altamont will be the scene of four rodeo competitions; Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 7pm and Saturday at noon and 7pm.

The competition will be preceded Wednesday night by a kickoff event in downtown Effingham.  A parade will line up at 6:15pm with area service personnel serving as Parade Marshals.  The procession will form along Maple Street between Temple and Evergreen Avenues, with horse entries lining up at Effingham Equity.  This year's parade theme is "Red, White and Blue Support Our Troops."  The parade will travel south along Maple Street past the front of the hospital to Jefferson Avenue and will then head east on Jefferson into the downtown area, dispersing at the old Courthouse.  Prizes will be awarded in these categories: business (three awards), horses, theme winner, uniqueness, youth group, and best overall.

Mail parade entries to Rodeo Parade, Post Office Box 42, Altamont, IL 62411, or fax them to 618-483-5177.  Late entries will be accepted the day of the parade.  Forms are available at the office of the Altamont News.  The parade is sponsored again this year by the Altamont Chamber Rodeo Committee.

In addition to the parade, Wednesday evening activities will include a barbecue cookout on the lawn of the old Courthouse from 5-8pm sponsored by Martin's IGA+ with proceeds going to the High School Rodeo Association Scholarship Fund.  Featured entertainers will be "Big Spike Hammer", local country and bluegrass musicians.  The concert will begin at 7pm.

On Thursday, the scene will shift to Altamont for the start of rodeo competition.  A "Special Kids Rodeo", however, is set for 12:30pm Thursday for kids with special needs.

Kevin Crain and C-Bar Rodeo Company has been hired as this year's State Finals stock contractors.  C-Bar is celebrating its 20th year in the rodeo business.

The first rodeo competition will begin at 7pm Thursday.  A highlight will be kids events for those ages five to seven about 8pm.

Another rodeo competition will take place at 7pm Friday with another time for kids events.

Saturday events will begin early with the Annual Scholarship Breakfast at the Fairgrounds hosted by S&W Supermarket of Altamont and Altamont Mayor Larry Taylor.  All proceeds will again go to the rodeo scholarship fund. 

Area residents will have the chance to see the Rodeo Association queen contestants up close when the Queen competition begins at 9am. 

Another round of rodeo competition will begin at noon Saturday with events for kids ages 6 to 10 during the event.

The final round of rodeo competition will begin at 7pm Saturday with the Grand Entry Parade.  The crowning of the new rodeo queen will begin the competition.

Ticket prices in advance are $8 for adults for a single event and $25 for an adult weekend pass.  Tickets at the gate will be $10 for adults for a single event and $30 for an adult weekend pass.  Children's tickets are free if they are accompanying a paying adult.

Tickets are available by phoning 618-483-6176 or at The Altamont News, Peoples Bank and Trust in Altamont, Cowden Medical Clinic, Martin's IGA+ in Effingham, and Rural King in Effingham.

A special weekend event will be a championship bull ride.  A 10-man championship bull ride event is planned both Friday and Saturday nights.  At the conclusion of each night's rodeo competitions, bullriding contestants will compete for cash and a buckle for the weekend winner.  Contact Kevin Crain at C-Bar Rodeo to enter at 618-349-8756.