ProRodeo Sports News - March 19, 2021

adjustments had to be made for COVID-19 restrictions such as eliminating their indoor concert. Montgomery’s rodeo director retired in 2019, so they were in a transition period in 2020. “That gave us time to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and make some changes,” Davis said. Both rodeos have worked closely with their county and state agencies to make sure their rodeos are compliant with COVID-19 regulations while also watching their adjusted budgets. “We couldn’t afford to lose the amount of money we did last year, we had to be at 75% capacity or more to put on the event,” Miller said. Red Bluff had to cancel one month before its 2020 start date. “We were very invested and saw a significant loss, six digits,” Miller said. “It was brutal.” Red Bluff ’s rodeo brings a $7.1 million economic impact to the community, Miller said. “Canceling it affected the businesses, hotels, restaurants and even the nonprofits,” Miller said. “We bring in 45 different nonprofit organizations to help put on the rodeo. These organizations raise money for scholarships and kids’ camps and different things, and they didn’t get to have anything either, and that was hard on them.” BULL’S-EYE ON A MOVING TARGET Making a strong return required adjustments to comply with COVID-19 regulations, such as requiring face masks and providing hand-sanitizer stations. Montgomery’s limited to 50% capacity for its 8,000-seat facility, which will be

fogged at the end of each perf. “We have had many meetings and conversations after a year ago trying to decide what to do, when to do it and how to do it,” Davis said. “Eventually, we said we would make plans as if we would move forward in a somewhat normal path and tweak it as we go along. We stayed in close contact with local officials who gave parameters and we reviewed them and felt we could make them happen. Once you know what you have to deal with, you can tackle the obstacle.” Even in non-COVID years, it takes a team to bring a rodeo together, and this year has been no exception. “The sponsors were very generous and stepped up to help us since they knew how bad it was for us last year and how important the centennial celebration would be,” Miller said. Not all the changes have been bad. Red Bluff is adding a permit section for saddle bronc riding for its centennial. “We used to have amateur bareback riding here with lots of bucking horses in the arena all at one time,” Miller said. “This will be exciting. And we will have some trick riders we haven’t had here in years.” Excitement has been increasing as opening day approaches. “We get their attention since Alabama football is big, but we’re the oldest-running top-level sporting event in Alabama with Talladega being 10 years behind us,” Davis said. “We have a lot of ammunition in our bag to use with the lineup of contestants. We always had good ones, and Frontier (Rodeo) has been with us for eight years and we try to tell their story. … All of that makes for a perfect storm, and we’re looking forward to being in the middle of it – and being on the (ProRodeo) Tour sweetens the deal.”

Photo courtesy Red Bluff Round-Up

The Red Bluff (Calif.) Sunrise Rotary has a roving jail for its fundraiser that’s held alongside the Red Bluff Rodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/19/2021

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