Surprise! It's a Rodeo!

It's our final night with Jon and Sarah and they had a surprise for us. We guessed that they were planning to take us to hear a concert or maybe watch a tractor pull or maybe fireworks. We never imagined that they would take us to a rodeo! Art has seen smaller rodeos on the Big Island where paniolos (Portuguese cowboys) would have rodeos but nothing like this.

Here's Jon going to buy the tickets for us.


A kind cowboy offered to take our rodeo portrait for us.


At first the wind blew dust all over the place and it seemed like it would rain. It didn't, and the temperatures were quite cool. It would have been uncomfortable if the rodeo was held earlier in the day when it was much too hot.


It was fun seeing the participants in their cowboy and cowgirl clothing. The rodeo had lots of different fun performances like lasso twirling, sychronized horsemanship, shooting balloons with pistols, etc.


The first event was called mutton busting. Children, well protected with a helmet and vest were allowed to try riding a sheep. It was quite hilarious although nerve wracking for me.


Art took this exciting shot of the bronco riding. They also had bull riding, calf lassoing, and other incredible contests of skill and daring. It was such an exciting evening. We can always count on Jon to do something a little different and fun for us. It was very sad to say goodbye to them but Jon goes back on duty at the fire station and we will be on our way to Kingman, Arizona tomorrow.