Saddling up for a weeklong festival

Crowds will watch bucking broncos at the Penn Valley Rodeo next weekend, but Wild Wild West Days will be celebrated all week leading up to the 51st annual event.

"The weather's supposed to be fabulous all week and that should have an impact (on attendance)," said Penn Valley Chamber of Commerce Vice President Susan George.

The wildness starts at 5 p.m. tonight with the Rodeo Queen dinner pageant at the old Penn Valley firehouse next to the rodeo grounds at the intersection of Penn Valley Drive and Spenceville Road.

After cocktails and a 6 p.m. dinner, queen contestants will give speeches, model and answer impromptu questions in front of the crowd.

The ladies will complete their competition on May 17, with a horsemanship contest at the rodeo.

Senior queen contestants are Kaitlyn Spence, Amanda Smiarowski and Page Herfurth. Junior queen candidates are Rachael Frantz, Kristie Moen and Morgin Sheppard.

Pageant tickets can be purchased from any of the contestants, at the door or by calling 913-1072. Seating is limited.

Handiwork from an Art in the Schools project, where students colored artistic pieces, will be displayed in Penn Valley businesses all week. To complete the Wild West feel, merchants will decorate and dress in theme.

Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., the free "Wild Wild West Party" will be held at the rodeo grounds with food, music from Clod Headgate and cowboy poetry from Tony Argento.

"There will be horse-drawn wagon rides for the kids and a rodeo clown," George said.

At 1:15 p.m. Saturday, the Penn Valley Rodeo parade starts at Western Gateway Park and follows Penn Valley Drive to the rodeo grounds. There is no entry fee for the parade, which will include a Beale Air Force Base honor guard, equestrian entries, civic groups, horse-drawn wagons and vintage cars, George said.

Parade applications are available from the Chamber of Commerce at 17500-B Penn Valley Drive. You can call them at 432-1802.

The rodeo begins with special music and a barbecue Friday night, with gates opening at 5 p.m. The Keith Wilson Memorial Bull Ride will be at 6:30 p.m., and Clod Headgate will play for a dance at 9 p.m.

Gates open again at 2 p.m Saturday with the queen contestant horsemanship contest at 2:30 p.m. Rodeo competition begins at 7 p.m.

On Sunday morning from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., breakfast will be held at the old firehouse. Gates will open for rodeo action at 9 a.m.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.

Wild Wild West Days



n May 10 - Rodeo Queen Dinner Pageant, 5 p.m., old Penn Valley Firehouse at Penn Valley Drive and Spenceville Road next to the rodeo grounds.

n May 14 - Wild Wild West Party, 5:30 p.m., rodeo grounds, food, music, cowboy poetry and wagon rides.

n May 17 - Rodeo Parade, 1:15 p.m., from Western Gateway Park on Penn Valley Drive to the rodeo grounds.

n May 16, 17, 18 - Penn Valley Rodeo.

You can find more information and ticket locations at www.pvrodeo.com.