The best of the best in the United Professional Rodeo Association return to Sulphur Springs this weekend for the 31st consecutive year to compete in the UPRA Finals at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
The Finals, which brings the top competitors from the UPRA season to crown this year’s champions, starts with the first go round at 7:30 p.m. Friday and the second go round at the same time on Saturday. The final go rounds will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, with the “Champions Banquet” immediately after the final performance.
Tickets at the gate are $8 for adults and $7 for children, or can be bought in advance at Circle E Western Store for a $1 discount.
UPRA Executive Director and General Manager Jerry P. Hill calls the finals a place where the best meets the best, with the top cowboys and cowgirls from all across the Southern United States joining with the top stock contractors in Sulphur Springs for a final showdown rodeo.
The Civic Center has been the venue every November since 1979 for the UPRA Finals Rodeo. In 2008, the association inked a deal on a five-year contract extension to keep both the UPRA spring rodeo and finals rodeo at the Civic Center, the only home the two rodeos have ever known. The UPRA (formerly the Central Rodeo Association) rodeo was one of the first annual events established when the Civic Center opened in 1979.
The finalists compete in about 125 rodeos during the year which span across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, earning points and eventually one of the slots in their category at the finals.
There’s a lot of money at stake, too — the added and bonus money alone for the UPRA Finals is expected to be more than $100,000. So far this season, the UPRA has paid out just over $2.25 million.
But the championship rodeo offers more than just the circuit’s best bull riders, tie-down ropers and barrel racers.
The rodeo events start a at 9 a.m. Friday with the annual Handicapable Rodeo, which each year features hundreds of special kids competing in fun events.
The UPRA Finals Rodeo also contributes to special causes, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Sulphur Springs.
For more information about the UPRA Finals, contact the Civic Center at 903-885-8071 or visit the UPRA website at www.urodeo.com.
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|