News
Winter Rodeo canceled
Published
4 years agoon
By
Pat Blair
Sheridan’s Winter Rodeo, that would have been held next February, has been canceled.
According to a news release from Shawn Parker, who’s executive director of Sheridan Travel and Tourism, the decision was made after much deliberation with representatives from Sheridan County and the city of Sheridan.
In view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the community and across the region, as well as current Sheridan County Public Health orders, event organizers have canceled the event out of concern for public health and safety.
This would have been the third year for the event in Sheridan.
In the release, Parker said he could see no way to effectively social distance or keep safe the over 10,000 people who have come out for the Winter Rodeo in each of the first two years of the event.
He said for the last several months, the intention was to move forward with plans for the event. But the combination of potential mass infection and forced closure of dozens of downtown businesses during the rodeo would be devastating to the local economy and healthcare systems.
Peggy W Larson, DVM MS JD
November 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Cancel rodeo permanently. The injuries to the animals used in rodeos are documented by meat inspectors and research veterinarians. Animals should not be injured or killed for entertainment and that is what rodeo is. It bears no resemblance to ranching. I grew up on a cattle ranch in North Dakota and spent 8 years as a ranch veterinarian there. My ranch clients did not ride bulls, speed rope calves or make their expensive horses buck. Rodeo is not American “tradition”.
Thomas Jones
November 23, 2020 at 7:41 pm
Too bad. It would have been a good benefit for our local businesses.
Jennofur OConnor
November 24, 2020 at 2:02 am
Great start, but let’s make the cancellation permanent. Tormenting animals for “fun” in the rodeo needs to end.