Luncheon kicks off rodeo

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May 16, 2012

Luncheon kicks off rodeo

Marivel Resendiz Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Wed May 16, 2012, 03:43 PM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — The Tops in Texas Rodeo kicked off Tuesday with an appreciation luncheon for the sponsors of the event.

This year marks the Rodeo's 50-year anniversary and Byron Underwood, president of the Rodeo Association, said they are working hard to make it the best yet.

“We normally have our luncheon at the Norman Activity Center, but this year we wanted to have it at Bill McRae Ford because they are a major sponsor of ours,” he said.

With 120 guests, Underwood said this is the largest sponsor turnout the event has had. He said the date change could have been an influence.

“This is the first year the rodeo is being held in May,” Underwood said. “We normally have it the second week in June and this year we are hosting it the third week in May.”

Underwood said temperatures are much more bearable in comparison to last year's 108-degree heat.

He said he is always proud to say the rodeo will have more national finalist cowboys attending the event.

“Normally when we throw the rodeo in June the cowboys go up north,” Underwood said. “But with the date change, they get to be here Jacksonville. People are getting excited.”

The Jacksonville Rider's Club, Lion's Club and the Chamber of Commerce, Underwood said, are working together to organize the event.

Underwood said the Rodeo Association asked sponsors for more money to make the 50-year event stand out and he appreciates their support.

“The economy is hard, you know that and I know that,” he said. “Jacksonville stepped up and helped us collect that extra money.”

Awards were given to major sponsors of the event. One recipient was a new sponsor and a new business in town.

Shelby Chunn, operations manager for Dentistry for Children, said they have been open 25 years in Tyler and recently expanded to Jacksonville.

“Demographically we have clients who come from Ruck and Jacksonville and Dr. Boren thought it would be good to move a location over here.”

Allissa Boren, marketing manager, said they opened the facility in late spring and are excited to get to know the people in Jacksonville.

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Luncheon kicks off rodeo

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