Footprints in the Dew is at the printer! Copies will be mailed out in September to anyone who pre-ordered a book.
Welcome back. As summer turns to fall, several events I always look forward to are coming up including an event I just attended which is where I will start. Advertised as “the toughest event on earth”, the Professional Bull Riding (or PBR as it is known) competition rolled into the BOK Center in Tulsa on Friday and Saturday nights to put on a show and friends that’s exactly what they did. The top 35 money winning bull riders were matched with some of the toughest bulls in the country, competing for some big prize money and a chance to go to the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. But friends it’s not just all about the bull riding anymore. Loud music rocks the arena before, during and after the show. In between riders, renowned rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen had the crowd in stitches with his antics. You bet there were hundreds of bright lights too as well as fireworks and sound cannons.
As with all PBR events, this competition started with the national anthem and a prayer for our country on both nights. Saturday night they announced that new facilities are under construction for the PBR in Las Vegas and more information on that will be coming soon. This was an exciting competition to watch and my overall impression of the Express Employment Professionals’ annual PBR Classic is that you don’t want to miss it next year!
This Friday there’s another event coming up with the Express name on it that also involves cattle. You regular readers many remember that this events also takes place at the end of the summer every year and although they don’t advertise it as such, I haven’t found another cattle sale in the country like it. The cattle at this two day sale often bring hundreds of thousands of dollars and the buyers come from around the world. The guests will include governors, sports celebrities and even movie stars. On the opening evening of the sale five hundred or more guests will be treated to some real Oklahoma hospitality with dinner and entertainment at the Express Ranch headquarters in Yukon. It’s called the Big Event and I can’t wait to tell you all about it next week.
This Saturday August 22nd is also the date for a truly longtime favorite event of mine- Wild Brew. Now in its 22nd year, this popular beer tasting and food sampling fundraiser benefits the Sutton Center Avian Research Station right here in Bartlesville. The Sutton Center is an internationally known conservation organization and the proceeds from Wild Brew support their many research and conservation programs, including an eagle’s nest webcam.
Breweries around the country and many of Tulsa’s best restaurants will be showcased and the evening will include music from the Fabulous Mid-Life Crisis Band. I need to mention that this is a party crowd and even if you don’t dance it’s a great opportunity for people watching. Wild Brew will be held at the Cox Business Center from 5-8 PM. Patrons get in early from 4-5PM. For tickets and additional information visit www.wildbrew.org See ya there for sure!
Wrapping up the month on Saturday August 29th is a follow-up to a story I first brought you about a year ago. The sons of World Heavyweight Champion Tony Morrison are training in Bartlesville as you read this. I do believe that these boys will bring glory to our town during their rise to fame in the boxing world. They are both currently undefeated and will be fighting at Joplin Memorial Hall, a 3,000 seat arena. Floor seats are already sold out and I hear the other tickets are going fast as well. My scoop of the week is to catch them live while you still can. For tickets call Buffalo Run Casino (918-542-9400 ) or visit stubwire.com.
Till next time, I’ll see ya down the road……………………….
Correction: Please note that Stan Clark, not Stan Barnes is the founder of Eskimo Joe’s.