Community Corner

Gay Rodeo Coming to Banning, Anyone Welcome to Compete

Event schedule includes opening party April 28 in Cathedral City, registration April 29 in Palm Springs, and rodeo events in Banning on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1.

Hot Rodeo 2011, sponsored by the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, is coming to Banning April 30 and May 1.

Signature gay rodeo events, including goat dressing and wild drag races, are among two full days of sanctioned rodeo competition at A.C. Dysart Equestrian Center, 2101 W. Victory Ave. in Banning.

Gay rodeo events are set up for amateurs and first-timers to participate, and all events are open to men and women competitors.

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"Goat dressing is the most popular event," marketing coordinator Kirk Harris said Monday. "We welcome first-timers, and because so many people enter this event, the cash prize is bigger and all the top cowboys enter it too."

Organizers estimate more than 200 competitors from California, Arizona and Nevada will take part, Harris said.

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Events during two days of rodeo in Banning include calf-roping, team roping, steer decoration, chute dogging, barrel racing and bull riding. Competition starts at 8 a.m. on April 30 and at 9 a.m. on May 1.

Profits from the event contribute to the City of Banning's Youth Scholarship Program, Greater Palm Springs Chapter president Jimmy Golden said.

"This is the third or fourth year they've had the event in Banning, and they've been very generous with scholarship donations," said Heidi Meraz, Banning Community Services director.

"Their contributions have been in the neighborhood of $2,000 to $2,500 each year, in addition to facility rental fees and water usage fees," Meraz said.

An opening night party is scheduled April 28 at DiGS in Cathedral City, and registration for competitors is April 29 at the Holiday Inn Resort, 1800 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.

Rodeo tickets are $15 per day, and $40 for both days plus admission to the Saturday night country-western dance in Cathedral City.

The event is on the International Gay Rodeo Association calendar. More information on tickets, the four-day schedule and rodeo events in Banning are available at the Greater Palm Springs Chapter web site.


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