Buckle up Belton Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 2 2009 05:50 AM By Jason Chlapek
Killeen Daily Herald

BELTON – After 85 years, the Belton Fourth of July Celebration and PRCA Rodeo is still going as strong as ever.

"Our ticket sales have been really good so far, and we're expecting another good year," said rodeo coordinator Keith Smith.

The rodeo kicks off at 7 tonight at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton with Military Appreciation Night.

In addition to the rodeo, other events will take place in Belton over the next three days. The carnival starts tonight and goes through Saturday, and the Rockin' Rodeo Concert takes place Friday night at Schoepf's BBQ.

Saturday will feature several big festivities prior to the rodeo. The Patriotic Program starts at 9 a.m. at the Bell county Courthouse, followed by the parade from 10 a.m. to noon in downtown Belton and the Festival at Nolan Creek, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Yettie Polk Park.

"There's something for everyone," Smith said. "This is a family-themed event."

Friday's rodeo event is is Family Celebration Night. All children age 8 and younger are eligible for the Stickhorse Grand Entry with prizes going to the best decorated boy and best decorated girl stickhorses.

Wal-Mart will sponsor Saturday's rodeo event, which is the Match of Champions Night.

Nightly events include Mutton Bustin, Junior Bullriding, Mechanical Bullriding and the western gift show. The All-American Cowgirl Chicks also will make nightly appearances.

The Cowgirl Chicks are "a horseback drill team," according to Smith.

While this is the 85th edition of the 4th of July Rodeo, this also is the 22nd year that the venue will take place in the Expo Center. Smith also is in his third year as rodeo coordinator.

"I got involved in this because I also manage the county fair," he said. "This is one of those things where people look back on it and are proud to be involved with it.

After Saturday, Smith said he and his crew will take three weeks off and then begin planning for the 86th annual Fourth of July Rodeo.

Contact Jason Chlapek at jchlapek@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7565.