The 101 Wild West Rodeo will be making a three-night performance run in Ponca City this year.

Dates for the 101 Wild West Rodeo this year will be August 7th thru August 9th, with performances at 8 p.m. nightly.

The 101 Wild West Rodeo will be held at the 101 Ranch Rodeo Arena, located on West Prospect avenue at North Ash Street. Beautification efforts of the arena parking lot have changed entrance roads to the parking lot areas, to Ash Street and to West Prospect Avenue. The new substation has taken up the space that had been used as an entryway, at the corner of Ash Street and Prospect Avenue.

The 2008 Rodeo will mark the 49th running of the rodeo honoring what historians have described as the birthplace of rodeo - the once mighty 101 Ranch.

The fabulous 101 Ranch, with a 50-year history both rich and tragic, influenced Oklahoma and agriculture like no other ranching operation in the world.

The 101 Ranch, established by Col. George W. Miller in 1879 on the banks of the Salt Fork River southwest of what is now Ponca City, began with thousands of acres of land which Miller both leased and purchased from his friends - the Ponca, Tonkawa and Osage tribes.

The Colonel, who died in 1903 at the age of 61, and the ranch, which was already successful came into the capable hands of his sons, George, Joe and Zack.

It was 1905 when the Millers offered to perform what they called a "round-up" or "buffalo chase" as an entertainment for a National Editorial Association convention. Visitors were said to come to the ranch in 30 regular and special trains, and the crowd estimated at nearly 60,000 was thrilled to the exhibition of cowboys recreating real life ranch work from bronc riding and roping to Tom Mix's debut as a roper and rider.

After years of success as the "101 Ranch Real Wild West and Great Far East Show" things at the ranch began to crumble in the late 1920s, due to the deaths of Joe in 1927 and George in 1929.

But the rodeo returned to the Ponca City scene, when the Ponca City Cherokee Strip Rodeo Committee came up with the idea of having a rodeo during the Cherokee Strip Celebration in September 1960. By 1962 the financial success of the Cherokee Strip Rodeo proved that people wanted the return of a show similar to the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. The present bleachers and chutes were constructed in 1962, however additional improvement in chute heaven and the press box have made the rodeo arena a top notch attraction.

There are several events during the rodeo for youngsters, which have included calf scramble, boot race, and other activities. The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation headed by Larry Goodno, in his eighth year as president, contracts with a number of interesting one act exhibitions for the three-night stand. Other foundation officers include Gary Parli as vice president; Darleanna Wamecke as secretary and Shawndra Sheik as treasurer.

Starting with one round of steer roping at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 7th, regular rodeo performances will run Thursday through Saturday, August 7th thru August 9th at 8 p.m. nightly. The 101 Rodeo Arena is located at the intersection of Ash and Prospect.

Cowboy meet and greet featuring Live Music immediately following each night's Rodeo Performance will be located in the tent on the east-side of the arena. Thursday - Local talent with Mike Mott. Then on Friday & Saturday - The Jason Savory Band. Meet the cowboys & contract personnel, visit with some old friends or maybe make some new ones.

Are you tough enough to wear pink? The 101 Wild West Rodeo will continue the tradition with the implementation of a Tough Enough To Wear Pink? Night. Thursday evening's performance will be designated as "Pink Night".

The color pink is not something you would usually associate with the tough sport of rodeo; however, breast cancer has touched the lives of many rodeo and western lifestyle families. Rodeo committees, western event producers and western manufacturers have joined together to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.

The TETWP campaign puts this important health issue top-of-mind at rodeos and western events across America and Canada. The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation which organizes and puts on the 101 Wild West Rodeo is pleased to join those who have already gotten behind this campaign and the momentum continues to build.

At Thursday's performance, the foundation will give $1 for each person in the audience who is wearing pink and $50 for each event winner who is wearing pink to the Breast Cancer Assistance Program Fund out of Tulsa.

Thursday will also be Community Appreciation night come out early and enjoy a free barbeque dinner with ticket purchase from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on the east-side of the rodeo grounds.

New this year will be a Stick Horse decorating contest. Judging will be held on Friday night before the grand entry. Ages 2-6. Pick up entry forms at "What A Cowgirl Wants" located at 102 N 2nd Street between July 22-August 1.

Back again to the rodeo this year and sure to be a crowd pleaser is the 101 Women's Drill and Grand Entry Team. Organized by Janie Campbell, this array of talented and spirited women is kicking off the grand entry each night. They will be displaying talented horsemanship in flag bearing and synchronized routines.

Dr. Lynn Phillips will return to announce the rodeo. Dr. Phillips has become a regular at the 101, providing exciting and entertaining commentary.

Also back this year will be the lighted score board, giving fans the latest in scorekeeping technology, helping to make this year an even more spectacular rodeo for first time spectators and veteran fans alike.

This year's rodeo, being produced by Andrew's Rodeo Company of Addielou, Texas, promises to be greater than ever with an excellent lineup of contestants, specialty acts, bull fighters, and stock. Andrew's Rodeo Company has become quite popular with the rodeo associations and cowboys, providing stock for a three-night plus slack rodeo. Andrew’s ability to produce quality stock is well noted with 1999 Hall of Fame Bucking Bull, BODACIOUS, with 135 outs and only 8 qualified rides. Bodacious won Bucking Bull of the Year 1994, 1995, and Bucking Bull of the NFR 1992, 1994, and 1995. Son of Bodacious, Bo Dipping, began taking the spotlight in the Rodeo Circuit. He was awarded Rankest Bull Summer Finals in Dallas 2001 and 2002. Sports Illustrated followed his career with an article in June 2003. Ft. Worth Star Telegram and Dallas Morning News visited the Andrews Ranch summer 2003 publishing a full-page article on Sammy and BoDipping. In 2004, Outdoor Life visited the Andrews Ranch and aired a documentary called FEARLESS BODACIOUS. Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show honored Sammy during the year 2004 awarding him with a bucking chute to use as a memorial for Bo’s grave. ESPN has recently visited the Andrews Ranch and aired an insert of Sammy and Bodacious throughout the telecast of the 2005 NFR displaying the much-appreciated bucking chute.

Serving as Barrelman this year is Jeff "SLIM" Garner. With a 2000-pound bull bearing down on you, it helps to have a sense of humor. It also helps to have a barrel to hide in. Jeff Garner is a second-generation clown, who started clowning around when he was 17 years old. Jeff has a large variety of rodeo acts to keep the crowds entertained. Anything that is loud and can catch people's attentions is what he likes. Jeff gets a huge thrill just stepping into the rodeo arena. He loves what he does and he's living out his dream performing in the middle of rodeo arenas.

The Bullfighters will be Wacey Munsell returning to the Ponca City Rodeo scene & for the first time here in Ponca City will be Shane Kinney, but neither is new to the sport of rodeo.

This year's specialty act will be Vince Bruce - The Wizard of Whips & Lariats.....with his wife, singer Anne Dubats their show is a blend of dazzling rope tricks dangerous feats of whip cracking/mastery and an offbeat British humor that has established them as perhaps the foremost western act in the world.

The official crowning of the 101 Rodeo Queen is immediately following the Grand Entry at the Saturday night performance.

Reigning queen, Calie Jo Sebor of Newkirk, Oklahoma, will hand over her authentic hand beaded 101 Wild West Rodeo crown. Audiences will have many opportunities to meet and greet queens at each nightly performance.

"Rodeo Week" in Ponca City is celebrated with several exciting activities in the Ponca City areas including a parade downtown along Grand Avenue on Saturday morning. Grand Marshal this year will be announced later. The parade which starts at 10 a.m. is immediately followed by the annual Kids Rodeo held in front of the Ponca City Library located at the east end of Grand Avenue. The Kids Rodeo has become an exciting tradition of the parade offering kids the opportunity to meet queens, visit rodeo clowns, and get up close to rodeo affiliated livestock. Horse rides, goat tail tying, and stick horse barrel races are just a sample of the fun activities slated for the kids.

The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation, its 16 board members, and numerous supporters, invites everyone to attend this year's rodeo. "Family Night" is Thursday with adults just $8 in advance, $10 at the gate, & kids ages 12 & under FREE. Friday and Saturday performances are adults just $8 in advance, $10 at the gate, kids ages 7-12 $5, & kids ages 6 & under FREE. Advanced tickets can be found at select local businesses.