GERRY - Plans for next summer’s celebration of the Gerry Fire Department’s 75th consecutive annual rodeo got a valuable assist from several local officials who met with the Rodeo Planning Committee to discuss how they could help in promoting this historic event.
Those officials included State Senator Cathy Young; Assemblyman Andy Goodell; Dan Heitzenrater, Executive Assistant to County Executive George Borrello; and Susan Rowley, Constituent Specialist for Senator Young.
The meeting was chaired by rodeo chairman Tom Atwell, who answered questions regarding possible plans for the upcoming event, set for four days, July 31 – August 3. The guests then shared ideas for promoting the rodeo through various grants. and suggested a number of people and organizations who could possibly share their expertise with the rodeo committee.
Atwell said the information from these officials was “invaluable” and that their suggestions opened doors to additional ideas to help the committee. He said he was very grateful to each of these officials for taking time out of their busy schedules to help with this event which is so unique to the local area.
This rodeo is now the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi and is the sole fund-raising event for the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department. It is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as one of the more than 600 rodeos they sanction each year nationwide. The event brings more than 200 professional cowboys and cowgirls to Gerry from more than 30 states to compete for $50,000 in prize money. In addition, approximately 3000 beef barbeque dinners are served for rodeo fans during the four days.
The rodeo committee will continue to meet monthly and will share additional details as plans develop. Information concerning the rodeo, including photos and its history is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org
Photo: Photo by Sharon Atwell. Front row L-R: Senator Cathy Young; Tom Atwell, rodeo chairman; Assemblyman Andy Goodell. Back row L-R: Dave Hall, assistant rodeo chairman; Susan Rowley, Constituent Specialist for Senator Young; Paul Atwell, fire department president; Dan Heitzenrater, Executive Assistant to County Executive George Borrello; and Jean Sharp, fire department treasurer
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