By Ian Nikkel, FOX23.com News Staff
CLAREMORE, Okla. — The 80th annual Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo is returning to Claremore this Memorial Day weekend, bringing rodeo fans, competitors, and visitors from across the country to Rogers County.
Organizers say the event is about more than just rodeo competition — it also serves as an economic boost for the area and a way to support local students and members of the rodeo community.
According to event organizers, the rodeo brings an estimated $3.5 million into the economies of Claremore and Rogers County each year. The multi-day event, which has won Rodeo of the Year honors seven times, features competitors from across the nation in a variety of rodeo events.
David Petty said local students also benefit from the rodeo through scholarship opportunities connected to concessions and ticket sales.
“The concessions benefit our FFA groups here in Rogers County,” Petty said. “That money goes toward scholarships, and this year we think we’ll be donating about $16,000 to eight students.”
The scholarships are part of the Clem McSpadden Tub Handle Scholarship program.
This year’s rodeo will also feature a special benefit auction for Jesse Stipes, a Locust Grove native and professional rodeo cowboy who recently broke his leg during a rodeo in New Mexico.
Friends, fellow competitors, and organizers are coming together to help support Stipes while he recovers and is unable to work.
The benefit auction will include donated items such as artwork, boots, buckets, and even an African safari package valued at $17,000.
Brodie Poppino said the rodeo community quickly stepped in to help one of their own.
“The steer ropers are all a close-knit family,” Poppino said. “We want to support the guys that are with us and our friends. He works and ranches for a living, and with a broken leg, it’s hard to ride a horse and provide for your family. We’re trying to help him get through this rough time.”
The benefit auction is scheduled for Thursday during the steer roping events. First-round steer roping begins at 10:45 a.m., with the auction expected to start around 3:45 p.m.
The rodeo runs Thursday through Sunday in Claremore.
For tickets, you can go here.
