Kellci Ford
Sports Reporter

The dirt, cattle, and cowboys (and cowgirls) are landing in Mineral Wells for a fun-filled, seemingly muddy, weekend. The PRCA is in town for rodeo weekend at the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association Arena.

The fun began last weekend with the rodeo parade through downtown spotlighting the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association, the Sherrif’s Posse, local businesses, mutton bustin’ athletes, and former rodeo queens. That evening following the parade was the ever-growing street dance in Poston Square, all in preparation of this weekend’s big show.

The rodeo will kick off with slack Wednesday, with events happening all day, and is free to the public, but take your umbrellas and rain boots. The competition will begin Thursday evening at 7 p.m. and continue each evening through Saturday. There is a specific theme each night to get spectators involved, with Thursday night being Military night where our heroes will be recognized, Friday night is Pink Out night, honoring those who have fought cancer, and the closing night, Saturday, is “Bad enough to wear blue” night.

The PPCLA Rodeo is a qualifier for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo which is held in January, and the competitors are all members of the PRCA, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association which is the largest rodeo organization in the world with sanctions in United States, Canada, and Mexico with members from all over the world, according to Wikipedia.

The Mineral Wells rodeo has been around since 1937 and joined PRCA in 1938. The 2024 top winners were All-Around Cowboy Quint Bell, winning Tie-Down Roping and Steer Wrestling, Bareback rider Kash Martin, Bull rider Tristen Hutchings, Barrel Racer Julie Plourde, Saddle Bronc rider Brody Cress and Team Roping duo’s Kaleb Driggers/Lucinei Nunes Nogueira and Reno Stoebner/Randall Walker.