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Impressive Run

Gerry Rodeo Wraps Up 76th Year With Nearly 10,000 Fans Visiting

Hannah Kennedy of Greenfield Center competes in barrel racing during the final night of the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department’s 76th annual PRCA Rodeo on Saturday in Gerry. P-J photo by Tim Frank

GERRY — It’s almost magic.

A few short hours ago announcer Greg Simas was wrapping up the final performance of Gerry Volunteer Fire Department’s 76th annual PRCA Rodeo by bidding farewell and safe travels to the capacity crowd who had filled the rodeo arena for the fourth consecutive night.

The parking lots were full, more than 50 RVs, horse trailers, tents and pick-up trucks belonging to the 240 contestants who had traveled from 35 states to compete, surrounded the arena.

The pasture was filled with Painted Pony’s broncs and bulls, while fans made their last-minute purchases at the concession stands Saturday.

By daybreak Sunday, the entire area was empty. The stock, the trucks, the campers, the contestants, the chutes, all the equipment moved on down the highway.

Job Dunlavey of Loraine, Illinois competes in bareback riding. P-J photo by Tim Frank

What had been a bustling “city” is now a “ghost town, but what remains is a grateful volunteer fire department and its hard-working rodeo committee, which depends on the rodeo for major support as they protect the lives and property in the area.

Tom Atwell, rodeo chairman, reports that this was one of the most successful rodeos here in recent years with nearly 10,000 fans filing through the gates during the four-day event, while Chef Bruce Gustafson and his staff of volunteers served approximately 3,600 dinners. Atwell adds that this event was made possible only through the support of the fans who attend and the approximately 150 volunteers who work tirelessly all week. He added that the rodeo committee will begin plans for nest year in a few weeks and urges fans to put Aug. 3-6, 2022, on their calendar for the 77th annual rodeo.

A brand-new addition, which added much to the enjoyment of the fans, was a large video screen which gave the fans close-up views of the action through three camera angles, as well as providing instant replays. This also allowed fans around the world to view the action her on the Cowboy Channel app. This was made possible through grant from the PRCA and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency.

This rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in Colorado Springs, which constantly works to provide top-notch competition while protecting the safety and welfare of both the cowboys and the livestock involved. All contestants must be members of this organization.

A total of nearly $80,000 was paid out in prize money to contestants in the eight traditional rodeo events. The fire department puts up $43,000 of that total, while the rest comes from entree fees paid by the contestants who enter. The fees vary from $90 to $300, depending on the event, with the roping events having the highest fee. Following are the top money winners in each event:

Tanner Jayce Smith and T.J. Smith, both of San Mateo, Florida, are pictured during team roping during the final night of the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department’s 76th annual PRCA Rodeo on Saturday in Gerry. P-J photo by Tim Frank

BAREBACK RIDING

Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Georgia $2,228

Matthew Smith, Saraland, Alabama $1,707

Tyler Waite, Martin, Tennessee $1,262

STEER WRESTLING

Zane Kilgus of Watsontown, Pennsylvania competes in tie-down roping Saturday in Gerry. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Cord Spradley, Hoboken, Georgia $1,385

Olin Ellsworth Warrensburg, New York $1,040

Chad Stoltzfus, Conowingo, Maryland $693

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Trey Watts Marshall, Missouri $2,430

Parker Kempfer, Deer Park, Florida $1,863

Jack Bentz, Crane, Oregon $1,377

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pennsylvania $1,660

J.R. Myers, Felton, Pennsylvania $1,244

Charlie Goerlach, Greenfield Center, New York $830

TEAM ROPING

Troy Musser, Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania $1,414

Britt Brockius, Moore Haven, Florida $1,414

Jacob Rounds, Broadalbin, New York $1,170

Shawn Quinn, Schuylerville, New York $1,170

Bradley Massey, Perry, Florida $926

Zach Mabry, Piedmont, Alabama $926

LADIES BREAKAWAY ROPING

Sierra Ellsworth, Hudson Falls, New York $1,145

Tara Gale Hammonton, New Jersey $1,145

Jessie Calkins, Canyon, Texas $821

BARREL RACING

Beth Ann Borowy, Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania $1,873

Robin Weaver, Mahaffey, Pennsylvania $1,605

Ronda Casey, Plymouth, Indiana $1,338

BULL RIDING

Grayson Cole, Fredonia, Pennsylvania $1,568

Boots Son, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $128

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