Sing along and tap your feet to Kenny Chesney's anthem "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." Smell popcorn, hay and manure. Watch women in tight jeans and big hair juggling bottles of Mike's Hard Lemonade and little kids in cowboy outfits. You've just been transported to Saturday night at The Biggest Little Rodeo in the West in Central Point, Oregon. YEEHAW!
First, a confession. I actually like the rodeo. I even watch it on TV from time to time. I *even* have a couple of favorites. Fred Whitfield, for ex, and the now retired Cash & Rope Myers (because with those names, what else would they be but steer wrestlers).
And admittedly this isn't just any old local event. The Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo attracts internationally renowned cowboys eager to qualify for the national finals in Las Vegas which is televised for 10 days in December on ESPN.
OTOH, I typically try to avoid situations in which I'm told "Miss, NO ONE leaves before the bulls ride" and the announcer calls Berkeley, CA "the cesspool of liberalism" (especially since Ashland is basically Berkeley in Oregon).
Don't get me wrong. I did have a good time last weekend, but after one night at the rodeo, I think I've gotten my fill for a while of waving American flags (excuse me, "Old Glory"), patriotic hyperbole, and Coor's Lite. Next time I have the urge for a little bull riding, I'll turn on VS., put on a little NPR and sip a Negroni.
For more rodeo pix from the event on Oct 12-14, click here.
Watch the video of "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy."
Get the lyrics to "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." (Believe me, you won't be disappointed.)
