ST. GEORGE – Beginning Thursday and ending Saturday, the St. George Lions Club will host the 82nd annual Dixie Roundup Rodeo. The three-day rodeo – an over eight decades-long Southern Utah tradition – is set to kick up the dust in the historic Dixie Sunbowl with some of the best professional rodeo cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo stock in the west.
This year’s rodeo promises to be full of all the passion, pageantry, grit and bronc riding that fans have come to expect of the premier event. It is an event ripe with a tradition of excellence and a tradition of service to the community by the St. George Lions Club.
The St. George Lions Club is part of Lions Club International, a global humanitarian service organization. With over 1.4 million members it is widely touted as one of the largest global service club organizations in the world.
The St. George Chapter was chartered in 1934, making this year its 82nd anniversary of serving the St. George Community.
The Dixie Roundup Rodeo is the primary fundraising source for the St. George Lions. Because of the large scale and community of the rodeo, the organization is able to donate generously to the community and beyond, a previous report for St. George News said.
In the 2016 Dixie Roundup Rodeo program, Lions Club President, Ryan Sullivan wrote:
Over the last three years the St. George Lions Club has donated over $185,000 to local college scholarships, youth organizations, medical and vision needs, community building projects, and many other deserving causes. Your attendance at this event, with the support of our sponsors, is what allows the St. George Lions Club to donate so generously back to the community … Enjoy the rodeo.
The rodeo will feature perennial crowd favorites such as the familiar voice of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announcer Reed Flake and professional barrelman and rodeo clown, Randee Munns. The thrills will continue with professional bullfighters Joe Butler and Cade Burns and barrelman and rodeo clown, Slim Garner.
The rodeo will also feature the skill and showmanship of the 2016 Dixie Roundup Rodeo Queen and Princess; McKayla Jimmerson and Ashton Anderson, respectively.
Another highlight of the annual rodeo is the Mutton Bustin’ competition which features future cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep in a riotous and delightful showdown in the Sunbowl.
Several special events will be held during and surrounding all three days of the Dixie Roundup Rodeo.
Events include:
- Thursday: Kids night. Children 11 and under are free.
- Friday: “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night. A portion of every ticket sold is donated to Intermountain Healthcare to support breast cancer research and awareness. Wear pink.
- Saturday: “Kickin’ the Dust Up” general parade, 9 a.m., see parade route.
The 82nd annual Dixie Roundup Rodeo will kick off Thursday and culminate Saturday. Reserved and general admission tickets are available for purchase at the Lions VFW building across from the Sunbowl, 301 E. 100 South, St. George from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
General admission tickets can also be purchased the night of each rodeo. Gates open and ticket sales begin at 6 p.m. Tickets can also be ordered with a credit card by calling 435-673-3301.
Event details
- What: 82nd Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo.
- When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Gates open at 6 p.m.
- Where: Historic Dixie Sunbowl, 150 S. 400 East, St. George.
- Cost: Reserved seats, $15; adult general admission, $10; children (3-11), $5; children (2 and under on laps), free.
- Purchase tickets: Reserved and general admission tickets can be purchased at the Lions VFW building across from the Sunbowl, 301 E. 100 South, St. George from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. General admission tickets can be purchased the night of the rodeo. Gates open and ticket sales begin at 6 p.m. Tickets can also be ordered with a credit card by calling 435-673-3301.
- Rodeo information: 435-703-4779 | Website
Email: [email protected]
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