Parker Ranch hosts rodeo, horse races

Parker Ranch hosts rodeo, horse races

Parker Ranch will celebrate its 50th annual Independence Weekend Rodeo and Horse Races on Wednesday at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea.

This year’s honorees are Chadd Paishon and Shorty Bertelmann. Both are master navigators and active members of Na Kalai Waa Moku o Hawaii on Hawaii Island whose mission is to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and navigation techniques. They assisted in the construction of Makalii and several other voyaging canoes and are veterans of numerous voyages in the Pacific.

Fast-paced rodeo action begins shortly after the 9 a.m. grand entry parade and continues nonstop until noon. The line-up of rodeo events, featuring Parker Ranch cowboys will be joined by paniolo from ranches all around the Big Island. Horse races, ribbon mugging, ranch mugging, dally team roping, the unique-to-Hawaii Poo Wai U and more are planned.

The rodeo provides an opportunity to see Hawaii’s cowboys in action while enjoying local food, keiki activities with the “kids favorite,” pony rides and new this year, a petting zoo. Parker Ranch commemorative logo items will be available at the arena at the Parker Ranch Store booth.

Tickets for the event are $5 per person in advance or $6 at the gate. Presale tickets are on sale now at the Parker Ranch Store in the Parker Ranch Center, Waimea and at all Minit Stop locations around the island. Children 10 and younger are free.

For more information, call 885-7311 or visit parkerranch.com.