Sikeston Jaycees preparing for 72nd annual rodeo next month

Sikeston Jaycees Blake Wethington, left, and Ethan Vasquez weld a fence in the Art Saunders Arena Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. The Jaycees are busy making preparations for the upcoming 72nd annual rodeo, which is slated for Aug. 7-10. To purchase tickets, go to sikestonrodeo.com; call the box office at 1-800-455-2855;or visit the box office at the rodeo grounds, which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SIKESTON — The 72nd Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo is just over 30 days away, and the Jaycees are working hard to prepare the grounds for the city’s largest annual event.

Clay Driskill, general chairman of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, said preparations are underway for the rodeo, which is scheduled for Aug. 7-10.

“Right now we are finishing up all the projects we had from our new bleachers expansion and box seat expansion,” Driskill said. 

He said the Jaycees are in full swing to ensure everything is ready for August.

“We are working on making sure everything is in working order,” Driskill said. “From the cookers and bathrooms to all our water lines and electric lines, we are making sure everything is good to go, and for the next month, we will be just prepping like usual.”

Driskill said the Jaycees are ensuring that there are no water leaks, that their camping parking is in effect, and, most importantly, they are working on getting the arena ready. 

“Around this time, we start working on the arena, making sure it’s good and in shape for the actual events that will take place.

Driskill continued: “There’s also a lot of planning that goes into our advertising, and we are finalizing all sponsorships and getting ready to hang those signage, too.”

This year’s rodeo entertainment lineup includes: Warren Zeiders on Wednesday, Aug. 7; Rhett Walker on Thursday, Aug, 8; Ludacris on Friday, Aug 9; and Shane Smith and the Saints on Saturday, Aug. 10. 

Driskill also provided an update on ticket sales for the rodeo this year. 

“As of right now, ticket sales look great,” Driskill said. “There’s been a lot of excitement with Friday night with Ludacris and we are starting to see low ticket numbers for it.”

Driskill said there are currently about 20% of tickets left for Friday night

“Wednesday and Saturday are doing very well on ticket sales also,” Driskill said. “There’s also been a lot of excitement about Thursday night for Rhett Walker as well.”

To purchase tickets, visit https://sikestonrodeo.com/, call the box office at 1-800-455-2855 or visit the box office, which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.