Parker Ranch 49th Annual Horseraces & Rodeo

by diane quitiquit
(kona, Hawaii)

PARKER RANCH HONORS CATTLEMAN ALAN H. GOTTLIEB
AT ANNUAL JULY 4TH RODEO

Waimea, Hawai?i?s Big Island ~ ¬ Parker Ranch will celebrate their 49th Annual Independence Weekend Rodeo and Horse Races on Monday, July 4, 2011 at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea.

This year?s honoree is Alan H. Gottlieb, who holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer of Ponoholo Ranch Limited and serves as Vice President of Kahua Ranch on Hawai?i?s Big Island. Parker Ranch, Inc. Rodeo Chairman Brandi Beaudet said ?Parker Ranch, Inc. is pleased to recognize Alan Gottlieb for his untiring work in support of the Agriculture industry and especially the Ranching industry in Hawai?i.? Beaudet noted that ?Not only was Alan the founder and sponsor of the Paniolo Hall of Fame that honors our Hawai?i paniolo, but he has been very active in spearheading legislation in support of our ranching industry.?

In addition to its special honoree, the Ranch commemorates the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11. The Ranch will be raising ?The Flag of Heroes,? that names all of those who perished in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. It names those on the planes, at the Pentagon, and in the World Trade Center. Now and forever it represents their immortality.

Fast paced rodeo action will begin shortly after the 9:00 a.m. grand entry parade and continues non-stop until 12 noon. The line-up of rodeo events, featuring Parker Ranch cowboys joined by paniolo from ranches all around the Big Island, is full of excitement. Spectators enjoy thrilling horse races, ribbon mugging, ranch mugging, dally team roping, the unique-to-Hawai?i Po?o Wai U and more. This year, the horse races have attracted even more participants, so expect an exciting show.

The Parker Ranch July 4th rodeo provides an opportunity to see Hawai?i?s cowboys in action while enjoying local food, keiki (children) activities with the ?kids favorite,? pony rides, and new this year, try your hand at roping practice. Hawai?i High School Rodeo contestants will teach kids to rope a wooden, make-believe steer. For those who enjoy having a memento, Parker Ranch commemorative logo items will be conveniently available at the arena at the Parker Ranch Store booth.

The Parker Ranch Rodeo was first held just three years after Hawai?i became a state in 1959 and has always been highly anticipated by visitors and the local community.

Tickets for the Monday, July 4th 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. Children 10 and under are free. For more information, call or visit www.parkerranch.com.

The rodeo grounds are 37 miles by car from Kona International Airport and 57 miles from Hilo Airport on Highway 190.

Parker Ranch Inc. is a highly respected cattle ranch known for quality beef, producing ten million pounds of beef each year and ranking as the 5th largest cow-calf operation in the United States. Visitors can enjoy parts of the ranch through horseback or ATV tours offered by Cowboys of Hawai?i at Parker Ranch. For those a little more adventurous, a hunting program is also offered within controlled areas of the vast ranch.