The first-annual “Proud to be an American Copper State Rodeo” is coming to Camp Verde this weekend with some familiar local rodeo faces expected to compete.
Pro rodeo contestants from around the Southwest are expected to participate in the two-day event, which takes place June 25 and 26 starting at 7 p.m.each night at the Camp Verde Equestrian Center.
“We have contestants coming from all over and they’re doing events from roughstock, saddle seat riding, bull riding, to barrel racing and roping events,” said Daria Weir, vice president of the Camp Verde Arena Association and rodeo secretary of the Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Association.
The Copper State Rodeo is associated with the Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Association and the New Mexico Rodeo Association. The rodeo will have a “Proud to be an American” theme, and its grand entries will salute the military and first responders.
“That’s kind of what it’s about is giving back to the people that have given up to us to help keep our freedom and our safety,” Weir said.
Around 600 contestants are expected to participate, including local rodeo stars and champions such as Jackpot Ranch winner Victoria Black, Fort Verde Days Queen Kaylee Barker, Indian National Finals Rodeo champions Wyatt Nez and Jalen Joaquin, roping champion Miles DeWitt, barrel racing champion Cassie DeWitt and roping finalistDanya Weir.
The rodeo will also include a festival with food and clothing vendors. Camp Verde Arena Association Board Member Bob Weir said the hope that people will come to the community for the entire weekend to enjoy all of the various festivities.
“Gradually we’re going to build this into more of a festival. We’ll try to have more vendors and arts and crafts,” he said.
In fact, the Camp Verde Arena Association decided to host the event in hopes of starting a new tradition in the community.
“We want to bring a big outdoor rodeo and just kind of bring that to our community. Because of the Western heritage of Camp Verde, we feel this is a good fit,” he said. “Hopefully people come out and support it and make a new tradition in the Verde Valley. … A lot of things died out and we’ve got to bring it back.”
Not only is Bob Weir aboard member of the association and the superintendent of the Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education [VACTE], but he will be performing as the rodeo clown at the event as well.
Weir has worked as a rodeo clown in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for over 37 years. He now runs his own business as a rodeo clown and announcer. He first got into the rodeo clown business at the age of 13 after watching his grandfather compete in the rodeo for his whole life.
“I really don’t care to ride horses and wasn’t that good at bull riding, so I thought this was a way of guaranteed money when you go to a rodeo plus something that looked fun,” he said.
A rodeo clown’s job is to keep the crowd entertained in between events or if there is any sort of delay. One thing that Bob Weir does differently from most rodeo clowns is he goes up into the stands among the crowd to interact with the crowd and tell jokes.
“Especially the kids, because you know if the kids are happy and enjoying it then they’ll bring their parents back the next night or the next year,” he said.
Proceeds from the rodeo will go back to the Camp Verde Arena Association, which Bob Weir says will be used to maintain things like bathrooms and concession stands at the $1.8 million facility.
Weir said the association is grateful for its many local sponsors, including Cliff Castle Casino, Oxendale Ram, Fiscor Heating and Cooling, Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch, United Rentals and Integrity Drilling Services Inc.
Tickets for the Proud to be an American Copper State Rodeo are for sale until June 24. Tickets can be purchased online or at Casey’s Cowboy Shop, Camp Verde Feeds or Montana Mercantile for $10 for adults or $5 for children.VIP tickets are being pre-sold for $20 each.
