Grab your cowboy hat and join us at Union County's annual rodeo and festival featuring rodeo contestants competing in calf roping, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, bareback riding, and bronco riding. Prizes awarded to the top 4 finalists. For the young and young at heart: pony rides, face painting, fair food, and western-wear vendors. Visit Union County Rodeo for two days of excitement, competition, and fun.

The Union County Rodeo will be held Friday, August 13th, and Saturday, August 14th, 2021 at the Maynardville Rodeo Arena located at 874 Hickory Star Road, Maynardville, Tennessee, 37807. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The rodeo begins at 8:00 pm on both nights. Entry is $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids age 12 and under. Jaxx Drive-Thru is the sponsor of this year’s Professional Bull Riding and has free kids’ tickets while supplies last.

Dr. Jared Graves, the rodeo organizer, offered information regarding the history behind bringing rodeo events to Union County. As a local veterinarian, Dr. Graves takes care of the stock animals for Spur ‘N S Rodeo Company from nearby Blaine. As that relationship progressed, it seemed only natural to create an event and invite Spur ‘N S to perform for our community. The first Union County Rodeo was held in 2016 at Red Gate Farm and has become an annual event (except, of course, in 2020). Interest in the rodeo combined with the sale of the Red Gate property led to the construction of the Maynardville Rodeo Arena.

This year there will be a memorial bucking shoot, honoring the fathers of the two key organizers: Roy Vaughn Graves Jr. and Michael David Stalans. We remember Vaughn Graves as the local John Deere dealer and owner and manager of Union Parts and Equipment in Maynardville for more than 30 years, but his true legacy is his family including his son Dr. Jared Graves. Mike Stalans was the initial owner of Spur ‘N S Rodeo, and the father of current owners Wes and John Stalans.

As I have not yet been to a rodeo, I asked what to expect, as a spectator. For instance, should spectators expect to get blood or mud on them? Dr. Graves laughingly replied, “No, (then shrugged his shoulders and continued) well probably not.” Looking back over past rodeos on their Facebook page I see that the 2018 rodeo had some rain so there was likely mud that year!

Being unfamiliar with rodeo terms, I thought I would share what I found for the benefit of other first-time spectators. This year’s rodeo events include:

Barrels - For the barrel racing event, the arena is cleared and three barrels are set up at different marked locations. The riders then enter the arena at full speed, quickly rounding each barrel in a cloverleaf pattern and then exiting where they entered. A stopwatch or timer is used registering down to a hundredth of a second.

Bull Riding - Bull Riding is the most recognized and popular of all rodeo events—also the most dangerous! It pits the cowboy’s courage and riding skill against the speed and power of a 1500 pound bull. An often-quoted saying about bull riding is “it’s not if you get hurt, it’s when.”

Calf Roping - The rider and horse work together, the rider ropes the calf and the horse stops quickly which hopefully flips the calf on its side and holds tension while the rider dismounts to tie its legs together.

Saddle Bronc Riding - Brings horse and rider together in a classic duel as the cowboy attempts to stay atop the bronc’s back for eight seconds

Team Roping - Team roping is the only team event in rodeo. Like tie-down roping and saddle bronc riding, team roping derived from ranch chores of the past. Larger cattle would have to be immobilized for branding and doctoring by two ropers due to their strength and size. Today it pits a pair of contestants in a race against the clock as the “header” ropes a steer’s horns while the “heeler” attempts to lasso its hind legs.

Come on out to enjoy some clean, wholesome family entertainment!

This event is sanctioned by:
• International Professional Rodeo Association
Phone: (405) 235-6540
Website: http://www.ipra-rodeo.com/

• National Cowboy Association
Phone: (423) 920-6022
Website: https://www.ncarodeotn.com/contact.html

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/unioncountyrodeo