Plans being made for Sts. Roost Celebration

With the first ever Turkey Strut behind them, the people of Donley County are turning their attention to Independence Day and focusing their energies on the 123rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.

This year’s festivities will be different than any in recent memory. Celebration organizers are dealing with the twin obstacles of July 4th being in the middle of the week and the Courthouse Square being unavailable due to the courthouse restoration project.

In addition, Clarendon’s three-day traditional rodeo is being changed to a two-day ranch rodeo because the old rodeo has lost money in recent years. Organizers hope the ranch rodeo will be more successful.

With just a couple of months to go before the big event, the calendar is quickly being nailed down, although some changes could still be made.

Here’s the lineup as it now stands, according to Genella Eads with the Chamber of Commerce.

On Wednesday, July 4, a Bicycle Parade will be held at 10 a.m. and a street dance is planned for 8 p.m. to midnight.

Nothing has been reported as being planned for Thursday.

On Friday, July 6, the Downtown Ministry Center will hold a Depression Lunch at 11 a.m., and the Cowboy Ranch Rodeo will start at 7 p.m.  A dance will follow the rodeo.

Saturday, July 7, will be the biggest day as the VFW kicks things off with a breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the VFW Hall.

At 8 a.m. the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will host a Ranch Horse Competition.

Events usually held on the Square will be held at the City Park this year. The Craft Fair begins at 10 a.m. with the Old Settlers Reunion starting at 10:30.  The Shriners BBQ Lunch will begin at 11 a.m. Cow Patty Bingo is slated for 1:30 p.m.

The parade will begin at 2 p.m., but the route for the parade is not definite as yet. County commissioners have requested that the parade not run within one block of the Square for safety purposes.

The current plan calls for the parade to begin near the Little League field on Seventh St., turning north on Kearney and proceeding downtown to Third St. At that point the parade would turn back east and terminate on Carhart St.

Following the parade, the VFW will hold a drawing for a shotgun, and the annual Turtle Race is set for 3:30 p.m. near Henson’s.

The ranch rodeo begins at 7 p.m. again, and another dance will follow.