Volunteer Britta VanAkin, with help from her children Paxton and Lola, puts the finishing touches on the rodeo signs which will soon be appearing in various locations around the county. Photo by Paul Cooley

GERRY — With less than a month to go until opening night, the Gerry Fire Department’s rodeo committee is putting the final plans together for their 77th annual PRCA rodeo, which kicks off for four performances, Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 3-6.

Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell says that the committee has worked hard all year to put together a rodeo which promises to be “bigger and better” than ever. One convenience is that fans will be able to save money by purchasing presale tickets for the rodeo or the combination rodeo/dinner tickets online at the rodeo website, www.gerryrodeo.org. Those tickets may also be purchased in person at the Country Fair stores in Fredonia and Gerry, the Exit 12 Kwik Fill just north of Jamestown on Route 60 or by phone at 1-888-985-4847.

A fan favorite is returning for the second year as the large stadium-style video board will enable fans to watch close-up the action in the chutes as well as watch instant replays of the action. Also, the rodeo each night will be streamed live on the Cowboy Channel Plus app.

The fastest growing event in professional rodeo — the cowgirls’ breakaway roping– is again being added to each performance, which also includes the traditional bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.

Atwell adds that the committee realizes that inflation has affected food prices, but it has kept increases in the price for the beef barbecue dinners to a minimum. He adds that the dinners are still a bargain as fans do not have to tip or pay tax, and the drink and ice cream dessert are included.

This rodeo is now the longest running rodeo east of the Mississippi and features approximately 250 professional cowboys and cowgirls from more than 30 states vying for $50,000 in prize money. The rodeo begins at 8 each evening, with the beef dinners served in the air-conditioned dining room from 5-8 p.m. The midway, featuring more than 20 vendors as well as concession stands and activities for kids, also opens at 5 p.m.

Additional information is available a the rodeo website, www.gerryrodeo.org, or by phone at 1-888-985-4847.