Local businesses set to take part in Stampede Week

SIKESTON — As the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo approaches, local businesses are getting more involved with Stampede Week.

Stampede Week, held the week before the rodeo, is to help get the community geared up for the event.

“The goal is to increase community involvement with the rodeo by having contests in which businesses can compete for prizes while adding visibility to rodeo events,” said Marcie Lawson, executive director of the Sikeston Regional Chamber.

This is the third year of the event, with 28 businesses taking part in the first year and 36 last year. The week typically involves a storefront decoration contest and parade float contest, but this year will also include the First Go-Round Trivia Night.

The trivia will be held July 28 at the Clinton Building with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and trivia beginning at 6 p.m.

Teams must consist of two players and no more than four. Additionally, at least half of the players must be employed by the business they are representing. Players must be at least 21.

The trivia will be pub style and consist of five rounds of eight questions each. Three rounds will consist of questions related to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo and questions will come from the commemorative book, Facebook page, or website. One round will consist of questions about Sikeston businesses and community and one round will consist of general trivia. The top three teams will receive prizes.

Mulligans will be available to purchase and teams can bring their own beverages and snacks, however food trucks will be available from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Judging for the Second Go-Round Storefront Decoration Contest will be on July 31, with prizes awarded for first, second and third place.

Judging for the Final Go-Round Parade Float Contest will be during the rodeo parade on Aug. 1 with prizes awarded for first, second and third.

After the events, points from the three events will be tallied for the All-Around Gold Buckle prizes awarded to the top three businesses.

“You can truly see those who participate as opportunity to have fun,” Lawson said. “Some of the storefront decorations and especially the floats clearly take a lot of time to put together. I know several businesses that use this as a team-building opportunity.

“Employees get to tap into creative skills that they may not get to use in their every-day work. Not to mention the amazing opportunity the winners have to expose their business to thousands of people during Rodeo.”

To register for the trivia night, call the Chamber at 471-2498 or email Lawson at marcie.lawson@sikeston.net.