Ozarks Boosters Club draws large turnout for 70th annual rodeo

OZARK, Mo. — The 70th annual Ozark Boosters Club Rodeo took place on July 18 and 19.

The show featured various types of entertainment, including trick riders, a funny man, and contestants competing for a prize pool of over $40,000, as well as championship points that are used to decide the top 15 that will compete in the International Finals Rodeo.

According to Rick Chaffin, the president of the Ozark Boosters Club, they've seen great turnout this year and reactions to the shows are always positive.

"It's a real energetic crowd. We have one of the best crowds," says Chaffin. "Ozark has the most electrifying crowd there is. And all you do is ask some of the neighbors several blocks away and they tell you exactly when the rodeo is over because it gets quiet at night."

Despite the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a severe heat warning, Chaffin says their riders are prepared.

"70 degrees and sunshiny, that's probably preferred to every athlete there is," said Chaffin, "Same with cowboys and cowgirls. But they know how to handle 90-degree weather and they do it day after day and pretty much year-round. So, they just like take on whatever the weather is: rain or shine, they compete."

He also adds that they take special care of the animals during the hot summer months.

"They're running back to two 500-gallon tank full of water and shade. We put up a shade for them every year and they have all the grass and hay they can eat. They're in their natural habitat, whether they're at the rodeo or they're out on the ranch."

The Ozark Booster Club partners with Future Farmers of America to give back to their community

"We give every FFA chapter and Christian County scholarships, and then we donate money at the end of the year."

You can find more information on the Ozark Boosters Club and the FFA here.