SALEM, Va. – The 57th Annual Salem Championship Stampede Rodeo is back this weekend and is still expected to be a packed house regardless of the weather.
“The favorite thing for me about the rodeo is when the lights go down when we first begin. We bring out the American flag, we have the prayer and I can sit and watch these stands full of people getting excited, getting ready and really enjoying the show,” said Salem Championship Stampede Rodeo Spokesperson Kevin DeBusk.
DeBusk said you can expect bull riding, bronc busting and so much more over a three-day period starting at 7:30 Friday evening.
One of the events is barrel running.
Katie Lewis, a Bedford native, has been running in the Salem Rodeo for 26 years, and she’s been barrel racing for about 30 years.
“You get to work with something that has its own free will,” said Lewis.
She loves the Salem Rodeo, too. Lewis said what makes it great is that it’s so close to home.
“It’s really special to be able to run in front of some of your local friends and with some of your local friends that you don’t get when you get to travel across the United States with rodeo,” said Lewis.
This event has been hosted in Salem for almost 60 years, with about 4,000 people coming each night from all over just for the rodeo.
Sales and Marketing Representative Corrie Prater said the Salem Rodeo helps the area.
“You’ve got the bull riders. You’ve got the rodeo company that comes in ahead of time to work the dirt, to bring the dirt in. Our tax revenues, our hotels, our restaurants all benefit from bringing this show into town,” said Prater.
She also loves coming to the event with her family. In fact, it’s a family tradition.
“My son has grown up watching the rodeo. My husband comes every year. It’s kind of a tradition. We start looking forward to it over Christmas break, and we get ready, and I’ve got my boots all polished up,” said Prater.
Doors are expected to open early if you plan on coming out with your family.