Plans for the 2020 Saints’ Roost Celebration continue to shape up with rodeo officials giving final approval to that event Monday night.
Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Assn. President Alex McAnear said the COEA meeting “went well, and we are on go.”
The Junior Rodeo scheduled for Thursday night, July 2, and the Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights, July 3 and 4, will be limited to 50 percent capacity with hand sanitation available and six-foot social distancing encouraged, and all rodeo events will go on as usual, except for the dances afterward.
“I think it will be a pretty good crowd,” McAnear said. “I think people are ready to get out.”
McAnear said admission for the rodeo will remain $10 for adults. Thursday night kids age 16 and under can get in for $5, and kids prices on Friday and Saturday are $5 for ages seven to 12 and free for ages six and under.
COEA will also proceed with all the usual kids’ events, including the calf scrambles. There will, however, not be the usual beef drawings this year.
That was also the sentiment of the Al Morrah Shrine Club, which met Monday night as well, and formally voted to proceed with the barbecue on the square Saturday, July 4. Shriners also felt that there could be a good crowd this year.
The barbecue will be set up on the west side of the Courthouse square this year instead of the traditional location on the east side as plans call for spreading booths and activities over the entire square. The Shriners are also making plans for curbside pick-up of barbecue plates on Jefferson Street for senior citizens and others who prefer to avoid the crowd on the Fourth.
Tickets will be $15 per plate, and food will be served to-go style starting about 11 a.m. or as soon as the parade is over. Advanced tickets will be available at the Enterprise or may be purchased on the square July Fourth.
With those changes, the schedule is pretty well set for the 143rd annual celebration July 2, 3, and 4, with the Whistle-Stop Trade Days open July 4 and 5.
The COEA Junior Rodeo will kick off the celebration Thursday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the first night of the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, July 3, at the same time. The First Baptist Church confirms there will be no Depression Lunch downtown Friday this year.
The big day will be Saturday, July 4, beginning with the Arts & Craft Fair on the square at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Donley County 4H. Booths must be reserved through the Donley County 4H by calling 806-874-2141.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Old Settlers Reunion and the Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade, sponsored by Shelton & Shelton Attorneys and Mike’s Pharmacy, will also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up at 8:30 at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.
Kids’ Parade Chair Kim Fowler is asking all parents to register their kids for the parade online by using the form at https://forms.gle/T9fx5K9mcMCoraMU9. This will streamline the registration process and prevent crowding before the event. Age divisions will be ages 0-4, 5-8, and 9 and up; and once registered online, participants can pick up their entry number from a table for each age division that morning.
Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.
Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will also start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parade is “Texas Strong – United We Stand,” and entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center. Entry forms are also available at ClarendonTX.com.
The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250.
Pre-registration and adherence to the theme is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due in the Visitor Center by 5 p.m. on July 1. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.
The Henson’s Turtle Race will then take place at 1:30 p.m. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Other events will be added to the schedule as they are decided or announced. For more information about the celebration, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.
A current schedule summary is as follows:
Thursday, July 2
7:30 p.m. – Jr. Ranch Rodeo, COEA Arena
Friday, July 3
All Day – Clarendon Merchants’ Sales
7:30 p.m. – Ranch Rodeo, COEA Arena
Saturday, July 4
9:00 a.m. – Craft Fair, Courthouse Square
9:00 a.m. – Kids’ Tricycle/Bicycle Parade
10:00 a.m. – Herring Bank Parade
11:00 a.m. – Shriners’ Barbecue, Courthouse Square
1:30 p.m. – Henson’s Turtle Races
7:30 p.m. – Ranch Rodeo, COEA Arena
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