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Rodeo Friendly at the Travis County Expo Center
Is it possible that everyone involved with Rodeo Austin is as friendly as they seem?
Start with my main contacts: Jennie Richmond, who has roped the 74-year-old event’s marketing program into the 21st Century, and Jennifer Paladino, who keeps the media minutely informed on rodeo news and who helpfully pointed out that singer Harry Connick Jr. was sitting on the front row of my section with his family (everyone kept a respectful distance).
Joel Anderson and Marie Richter
Then there was Joel Anderson, an attorney for Stratus Properties, who was my designated Rodeo Ambassador for Monday evening. Anderson gave me a thorough tour of new additions to the grounds — a bigger tent for popular charro performer Tomas Garcilazo, a larger after-hours lounge, also almost ubiquitous corporate sponsorships. Added: A short Avenue of the Breeds, which, with the help of Texas A&M University extension services, provide a wider view of the farm animals shown in the livestock arena.
Anderson also escorted me to the Founders Lounge where, once again, I dined with some of the rodeo’s honchos — almost all warm, funny and open. They love statistics and rankings: 300,000 visitors to the rodeo and carnival last year; eighth largest junior livestocks show; fastest growing rodeo; $1.6 million given out in scholarships and other aid last year; 6,000 head of livestock; 13 full-time employees; seasonal employees; 2,000 volunteers; $50,000 for the top steer last year; $54 million economic impact on the community, third only to SXSW and UT athletics among Austin’s special events.
Travis Asklund and Fred Weber
Current rodeo president Travis Asklund thinks one message is sinking in: “We are a charity.” That’s something underlined by his affable president-in-waiting Fred Weber.
Over spinach dip and iced tea, rodeo executive committee member Matt Berry, an insurance executive by day, explained in careful detail the extent to which the carnival rides and other equipment are checked for safety every day. (We passed quietly over the 1998 fatal accident on the Himalaya ride.)
James Bargsley and Novella Heffington
But the warmest, friendliest of all the rodeo folks was Mike Ellis, who told me stories about the group’s first gala in 1984, covered by the American-Statesman’s Lee Kelly, when the group moved into its current building and invited just about everyone in Austin.
“It was kind of like, ask 20 girls out on a Friday night,” Ellis says. “One will say yes.”
He remembers 2,800 attended that gala, which they tried to organize with old-fashioned computer punch cards.
He kidded Askland about the 30 past rodeo presidents who are still active in the organization.
“Half of a president’s job is taking advice from past presidents,” he jokes.
The rodeo itself was the rodeo, as it has been all my life in Texas. Pretty much nonstop entertainment. Some of the events make me shudder. But I always have a good time.
The only odd thing this rodeo: The first six barrel riders were disqualified for tumped barrels. More upendings followed. What was up with this normally highly skilled event. Maybe the riders spied Connick in the house.
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By foxy
March 24, 2011 10:46 AM | Link to this
joel anderson the socialite!