Cache County Queen Contest

I was so impressed by the Cache County Rodeo Queen contest and their amazing committee and involvement from girls in the community. This year there were 15 contestants, all of whom were from the Cache County valley. The outgoing queen, Jackie McMullin did a great job promoting the rodeo and queen contest this year and represented them well at the Miss Rodeo Utah competition last July where she was 3rd Runner Up.

The newly crowned Cache County Rodeo Queen is Taci Shaffer. Taci is graduate of cosmetology school, is an eyelash extension stylist, and will be completing a Master Esthetician program this fall. She is pursuing acting and modeling careers in Salt Lake for Whillemina Agency. Taci is also spending her time training for a couple of marathons this summer, working for a hospice agency and working with disabled teens. Taci's attendants for the Cache County Rodeo are Carlie Davis and Callie Checketts. The Junior Queen is Taylor Anderson, Princess is Bailee Noble, and the Junior Princess in Morgan Perkins. The girls all looked beautiful today and I was honored to be invited to attend.

Pony Express Days

Tonight I attended the first annual Pony Express Days Rodeo in Eagle Mountain with their queen Chantell Pilcher and first attendant Regan Torres. I was very impressed with the rodeo committee and their organization of the first rodeo. Hours before the rodeo started I was able to get a picture of the beautiful scenic view from the rodeo grounds and it was great to see the full stands on a Friday night when the rodeo finally got underway.

Rusty Allen, Eagle Mountain Resident and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding qualifier is the Rodeo Ambassador for Pony Express Days.

West Haven Hawk Walk

Today was the West Haven Elementary School Relay for Life Hawk Walk. There were hundreds of kids age Kindergarten through Sixth Grade who came and walked to raise money with America First Credit Union for the American Cancer Society. They were also walking in honor of their two school teachers who are cancer survivors.

The walk was real fun. Some of the laps had themes; for example skipping, walking backwards, changing directions, crazy eights, walking through the human tunnel, boogie dancing, and many others. The kids were laughing and having a good time and they were served water, punch, and cookies by America First Credit Union.

America First Credit Union is a sponsor for Miss Rodeo Utah and they do a lot to give back to the community as well. I appreciate all that they do.

Riverdale Lions Club

Tonight I gathered at the Riverdale Lions Club meeting with Chenae Shiner, Martina Wardle, and Ogden Pioneer Days Chairman Dave Halverson to further promote Ogden Pioneer Days and some of the great events that are part of the celebration.

Dave shared some stories tonight that made me even more passionate about the Ogden Celebration. He told about how Mayor Harmon Peery organized the western festival during the Great Depression in 1934 to boost the spirits of the locals and bring tourists to the city. Those traditions are living today when families come together in the community to boost moral while honoring all pioneers.

We also talked about the three parades that are held every year as part of the original tradition. The Children's Parade where all children and families are encouraged to come and participate and the kids receive a free ticket to the first night of the rodeo. The Horse & Hitch Parade, one of the largest in the west with over 600 entries of horses, wagons, and carriages. And finally the Ogden Pioneer Day Parade with thousands of spectators to watch marching bands, floats, horse drawn carriages, antique automobiles, youth groups, and of course Miss Rodeo Utah Contestants.

There truly is something for everyone at Ogden Pioneer Days and it really has become more than just a local community celebration. It involves people from all over.

Mount Ogden Rotary Club

The Fabulous Four (Craig is taking the picture) were out again today sharing more great stories about the traditions and exciting events that are part of the Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration. I went to the Mount Ogden Rotary Club meeting at the Prairie Schooner with Chenae Shiner, Martina Wardle, and Craig Bielik this afternoon. We went into detail about some of the events during the celebration including all of the judging events held in conjunction with the Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant. One awesome thing about most of the events held during the Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration and Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant is that they are free admission making them great, affordable summer entertainment for the entire family.

The Mount Ogden Rotary Club is also planning their own event; the 7th annual Rubber Duck Race fundraiser on the Ogden River to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis and also the Weber County and Ogden City Schools 3rd Grade Dictionary Project. I appreciate the Mount Ogden Rotary Club for the wonderful lunch and applaud their efforts as well as the Ogden Pioneer Days committee to organize great events to involve everyone in the community.

Buffalo Point Kindergarten

Today I had a great time with the morning and afternoon Buffalo Point Kindergarten classes in Syracuse. Their last unit in school is about cowboys, cowgirls, and the old west and they even have their own kindergarten rodeo at the end of the year. I went to teach them about the history of rodeo and about each of the rodeo events. I took my saddle, bridle, my roping dummy that the kids named Fred, chaps, spurs, and ropes so that the kids could participate in some of the events. At the end of the lecture the kids got to practice asking questions that they had wrote down ahead of time. My favorite questions was "Does the Queen have a King?" Each class made me a book labeled "One Hundred and One Questions for Miss Rodeo Utah" with pictures that each student drew along with their questions. It was a fun day and I appreciate the school for inviting me.

Ogden Breakfast Exchange Club

I was up bright and early this morning to attend the Ogden Breakfast Exchange Club meeting with Chenae Shiner, Miss Rodeo Ogden, her Attendant Martina Wardle, and Craig Bielik, the Marketing and Public Relations Director of Ogden Pioneer Days to inform the members of the club about all the great events that are part of the Ogden Pioneer Days Celebration. The 77 year old celebration has three parades, four nights of rodeo, the Farmers Market, dances, concerts, art shows, tractor shows, car shows, movie nights, fireworks, a special kid's rodeo, Miss Rodeo Utah pageant events, and many other fun activities. A complete schedule can be seen on the Ogden Pioneer Days website. http://ogdenpioneerdays.com/events/calendar.php

Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo Royalty

Congratulations to the new Pleasant Grove, Strawberry Days Royalty. The queen is Bailey Sizemore, 1st Attendant is Karianne Berry, and 2nd Attendant is Chantelle Pilcher. The contest was excellent, as it is every year. I was in the Strawberry Days royalty for two years and they have one of the best rodeos and best committees in the country. Their rodeo this year is June 16-19th and they have the best strawberries and cream ever! I want to thank the rodeo committee for all of the support they have given me this year as Miss Rodeo Utah. You have helped to make my year successful and your friendship means so much to my parents and me.

Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant Application Deadline

Miss Rodeo Utah 2010 Pageant Application Deadline is May 14th at 5:00 pm

For more information visit

http://www.missrodeoutah.org/