Events: Rodeo Association Plans to Host Bull Riding at the Southwest Washington Fair
By Kyle Spurr
kspurr@chronline.com
Bull riders around Lewis County looking for organized rodeo events will have multiple opportunities this year to compete locally.
The Southwest Washington Rodeo Association, formed last May, is working with the Southwest Washington Fair to hold a bull riding event on Thursday, Aug. 15, during the fair.
Rodeo Association President Ryan Acevedo said details are still being negotiated, but the fair is on board to help bring the bull-riding event to Chehalis.
“We want to keep it local, and give the local people an opportunity to get involved and make it a community event,” Acevedo said.
Tony Story, the Rodeo Association treasurer, said the bull riding event at the fair would run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and have 40 bulls and 30 riders.
The rodeo association is accepting sponsors to fund the event, which Story said is expected to cost nearly $30,000.
Those interested in sponsoring the event or volunteering with the association can call Story at (360) 623-4749.
Acevedo, who rode bulls for about 10 years, said he eventually wants the Rodeo Association to have a full weekend rodeo event in Lewis County for the first time since 2007 when the Lewis County Roundup Rodeo hosted events.
The Lewis County Roundup Rodeo lost funding after 2007 and stopped putting on rodeos.
Nearly six years later, the Rodeo Association is now organizing the bull riding at the fair and a jackpot bull riding event in Silver Creek on May 25 at 6 p.m.
Acevedo said the jackpot bull riding will have 20 bulls and cost $10 for each rider to compete.
Both the fair and jackpot events will use bulls from the LazyHK Bar Rodeo Company, run by Harlan Knowles, of Silver Creek. Knowles’ property at 365 Schoen Road will be used for the jackpot competition.
The Rodeo Association will also host a silent auction at the Napavine Feed Store on March 16 at 7 p.m. to raise money for future rodeo events.
The Rodeo Association is run by Acevedo, Story, Vice President Craig Smith, Secretary Jodi Bruen and Directors Robbie Acevedo, Clinton Lupo and Jeff and Myrna Rohr.
The association meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the historical building at the Southwest Washington fairgrounds.
