The 2008 Red Desert Roundup Rodeo is set for July 24-26. We are celebrating 30 years of rodeo. Red Desert Roundup started in 1978 with a team of businessmen from Sweetwater County wanting to add to the life of the county. Now 30 years later the roundup committee offers the best in rodeo action. From the best stock to the world's best cowboys, the Red Desert Roundup has it all. Professional rodeo encompasses an element of danger, extraordinary skill and the cowboys who ride are some of the most rugged athletes in sports today.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the world's largest and oldest governing body of professional rodeo. It is the place cowboys come to compete after they have paid their dues in regional competition and have honed their skills to the level of a professional athlete. Unlike other professional sports, rodeo requires the contestants to pay to compete. They do not get paid to warm the bench. Every rodeo requires an entry fee and the cowboy gets paid only if he performs well enough to win. Only those cowboys who are capable of competing with the "big boys" can afford to participate in the PRCA for any length of time. Only about 750 rodeos in the country are PRCA sanctioned. non-PRCA rodeos have an important place in rodeos, but nothing quite compares to the action in a true PRCA competition.

The 2003 Red Desert Roundup rocked the Sweetwater County Events Complex as some big names in professional rodeo showed up to compete, working toward the all-important goal of an invitation to the PRCA's most prestigious event, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The cowboys and animals are the obvious stars of rodeo, but they wouldn't shine without a large supporting cast, including stock contractors, specialty acts, pick up men, bullfighters and announcers. The people in these professions are held exacting standards in order to be part of a PRCA rodeo. Having national sponsors for the rodeo also helps draw the top cowboys and keeps the payout money competitive. The Roundup has had Coors and Dodge sponsorships for many years and has received awards such as Dodge's outstanding rodeo in a small market. Marvin Edgmon of Green River was awarded the Justin Boots "John Justin Standard of the West Award "at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in 2003. Edgmon is also the chairman of the Red Desert Roundup Rodeo for 2004. Rodeo announcers inform and entertain the audience and provide constant commentary, score and lend atmosphere to the event. During the past several years announcer Chad Nicholson has become an asset to the overall appeal of the Red Desert Roundup. Because of his talent he was selected to announce in the 2002 Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo.

Powder River Rodeo Productions, owned and operated by Hank and Lori Franzen of Wright, will produce the roundup for the tenth year in 2008. They have won more than 75 top stock awards and have an outstanding reputation among professional cowboys. There stock is one of the reasons the rodeo continues to draw top contestants. The 2008 Red Desert Roundup Rodeo will take place July 24, 25, and 26 at the Sweetwater County Events Complex. Gates open at 6 P.M. each evening and special events and pre-shows start at 7 P.M. Rodeo action will begin at 8 P.M. for each performance.