By Stephanie Bunker

Moapa Valley Progress

The Clark County Fair and Rodeo begins tomorrow. See page 3 for a schedule of Fair events, activities and locations.

Get your tickets for one of the top 15 Rodeos in America! If you couldn’t afford to attend the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December in Las Vegas, the Clark County PRC Rodeo is the next best thing. Logandale resident and Fair Rodeo Director, Doug Schwartz works all year round to put on a quality rodeo for Moapa Valley. Not only are there some of the best people in the business that participate, but Schwartz includes locals as well.

Schwartz has been able to recruit some big guns for this year’s rodeo. For example, Boyd Polhamus is one of two announcers that participates in the NFR. Polhamus has also won Announcer of the Year Award several times.

Troy Lewill is known as the “Wildchild.” Lewill is a rodeo clown and he has been to the NFR several times as well. He will be what they call a barrel man. In other words, the funny looking guy that hides from the bulls in the giant Coors can. Some might remember Lewill from previous years, he does a specialty act by doing tricks on his motorcycle.

Rodeo cowboys get ready for the big show at last year’s Clark County PRCA Rodeo. Photo by Vernon Robison.

Eric Layton and Kelly Jennings are bull fighters. Although they wear silly clothing, there is not a job in the rodeo more dangerous than theirs. They put their own lives on the line and jump in front of the bulls to protect others in the arena.

“From top to bottom, we have some of the best contract personnel in the business,” Schwartz said.

Even though the professionals are brought in, the locals that participate give the Clark County Rodeo some character.

“The drill team gives the Rodeo a local flavor,” said Schwartz.

The drill team Schwartz refers to the group of local ladies that run sponsor flags around the arena. Mandy Davis is in charge of the drill team and these local ladies hold practices before the rodeo.

The Sponsor Team Roping also allows locals to participate. The local ropers can be chosen if a sponsor requests them.

“A lot of the time, the sponsors don’t know of any team ropers in Moapa Valley so I help find a team for them,” said Schwartz.

Not only are there local volunteers that help with the rodeo, but there will also be professional contestants that grew up here in Moapa Valley. The Adams brothers: Jason, Randon, and Austin; will compete in the Team Roping event. MVHS graduate, Matt Shiozawa will compete in the Tie-Down Roping. At the Rodeo, cheer extra loud for these local professionals.

The Clark County Rodeo would not be happening at all if it weren’t for the sponsors, Schwartz said

“Even though it was challenging to get sponsors because of the economy, we were still able to get the big ones,” Schwartz said.

A huge thank you goes out to the following sponsors for their support: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Boyd Gaming, Las Vegas Events, Chapman Dodge, and Justin Boot.