Saddle up: Snowmass Rodeo is back

SNOWMASS VILLAGE ” The Snowmass Rodeo launches its summer season Wednesday, June 18 at the town’s rodeo grounds, unveiling a new, Aspen-based food vendor and new attractions.

The weekly event runs Wednesdays through Aug. 20; gates open at 5 p.m. at the rodeo grounds off Brush Creek Road and the action starts at 7 p.m.

This year, the Hickory House in Aspen will serve as the rodeo’s food vendor, serving up ribs and chicken in the barbecue tent, with Twirp Anderson providing the musical entertainment. The full dinner, including the fixin’s, is $18, while a sandwich is $9. Both include beverages and a chocolate-chip cookie. A $5 kids meal for children, age 10 and younger, will also be available.

Last year, a mechanical bull was added to the rodeo’s attractions, joining pony rides and steerhead roping. This season, an inflated, bouncy horse will be added to the mix for toddlers too timid to take on the bull. And, the steerhead roping practice area now featues steer dummies instead of hay bales outfiitted with steer heads. Next will be live steers (OK, we’re kidding). Special, child-sized ropes will also make their debut for young ropers.

The rodeo, produced by the Snowmass Western Heritage Society, features team roping, daily ribbon roping, bareback bronc and saddle bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing. The competitions wrap up at about 8:30 p.m., followed by singing and roasting marshmallows around a campfire.

Admission prices are $16 for adults, $10 for youths ages 11-15, and free to kids age 10 and younger. VIP tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for youths age 6-15, and free to kids age 5 and younger. The VIP section is closer to the bucking chutes, offers a better view of the action and comes with a free, souvenir stadium cushion per person.

For more information, go to http://www.snowmassrodeo.org or call (970) 923-8898.