CLERMONT — It’s not often you can get a tough cowboy to wear pink.
But they all did — cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo hands, visitors, even the emcee of the evening donned pink shirts in order to bring awareness to breast cancer and raise money for the local breast cancer foundation at the 59th annual Clermont Rodeo.
“Tonight has been phenomenal, and look at all the pink,” said rodeo organizer Ron Penn, of the June 20 event.
A portion of the proceeds from the Tough Enough To Wear Pink night will go to benefit local breast cancer research, Penn said. Pink T-shirts were on sale during the event, breast cancer survivors were asked to stand and be recognized, and even the ticket booth and rodeo gates were painted bright pink.
“So many people are affected by (breast cancer),” Penn said. “So many people know someone who’s affected by it.”
One girl even painted her arms and legs neon pink to honor the survivors, including her mother, a five-year breast cancer survivor.
“I’m glad to see that people are coming out and (supporting the cause),” said Kimberly Devitt of Crawfordsville. “All you can do is pray.”
Her friend, Natalie Kiger, also of Crawfordsville, came along to support Devitt.
“It’s a hard thing to go through,” she said.
Debbie Medeiros of Bridgeport was manning the T-shirt sales booth. She said she’s been through her fair share of dealing with breast cancer.
“I’ve been through breast cancer twice,” Medeiros said. “It hits a spot (to see everyone support breast cancer survivors). When I mention it to people, they say someone in their family has been involved with it. Breast cancer hits so many people, so many have friends or family (that have been affected).”
The rodeo is the second oldest rodeo east of the Mississippi River and is a large part of the Clermont community.
“There’s not hardly a business in town that doesn’t have a poster up,” Penn said. “It’s a big thing for a little area. So many things have come and gone in 59 years, and to keep it going is just tremendous. We’re also going to have a big homecoming next year for the 60th year.”
The rodeo was hosted at Lions Club Park, and included a Lions Club fish fry, and a free bluegrass music concert both evenings.
Though Penn said they had to deal with some severe weather Friday night, they did get the rodeo in that night and were pleased with nice weather on Saturday.
“Mother Nature threw us for a loop last night, but we got the rodeo in, finally,” emcee Arlyn Imel said.
Penn said his favorite part of the rodeo each year is watching the children enjoy themselves. He was selling junior-sized lassos throughout the evening.
“It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “We have so many kids that don’t get around farm animals here, so we’ll have a petting zoo, pony rides, they just really have a ball. It’s rain or shine and we had a bunch of muddy kids last year, but the parents understood. We had a boot race and they were splashing through the mud in the arena. But the memories stay. That’s the best part of it.”
The rodeo is produced by Rafter H. Rodeo Co. and is IPRA and CSRA sanctioned.
For more information, visit the website at www.clermontrodeo.com or call Penn at 403-1320.
charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Riders from Rafter H. Rodeo Co. participate in the grand entry parade Saturday. CHARLEE BEASOR/FLYER PHOTOS
-
One rider tries to keep from falling off his bucking bronco.
Clermont Rodeo salutes breast cancer survivors
- Local News
-
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
The week prior to Memorial Day serves as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.
-
Howie Mandel to serve as 500 honorary announcer
Howie Mandel, standup comedian and judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will serve as honorary announcer for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 27.
-
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
-
BCSC raises $30,000 for Race for the Cure
Basketball season may have ended a few months ago for the Bulldog community, but the school system decided to give the Susan G. Komen Foundation one extra large, record assist as they recently announced raising $30,000 in the Race for the Cure fight against breast cancer.
-
Drive for Damon golf scramble set
A golf scramble to raise money for disabled former Ben Davis High School basketball star Damon Parks is set for 1 p.m. June 3 at Riverside Golf Course in Indianapolis.
-
Brownsburg fights back with Relay for Life
For 24 hours, it will be non-stop community versus cancer in town as the Relay for Life event will takes place. The event will start at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Brownsburg West Middle School track.
-
Dawes, county celebrate retirement
The impact that Dennis Dawes has left on Hendricks Regional Health will not be soon forgotten.
-
Young racing team plants roots and more in Brownsburg
When Belardi Racing decided to uproot its operation and move to Hendricks County, they got the idea that maybe they should put some roots down.
-
500 Festival celebrates with breakfast event
With practices and qualifications going on at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday was a busy day for everyone involved.
-
Relay returns
With battling cancer and raising awareness in mind, the Wayne Township area hosted its Relay for Life this past weekend at the Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County looks to battle water illnesses
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
