CENTRE HALL—You can smell it in the air before you see it: the churned dirt, the leather, the electric crackle of anticipation. The Lucky E Rodeo is back at the Grange Fair for its second year, and if last year’s crowd is any indication of what to expect, you’ll want to get there early if you want a good view.
“They were six deep around the fence last year,” Tye Eglin, owner and operator of Lucky E Rodeo, said. “I don’t even know how some people could see, but they were still there having a blast.”
Eglin isn’t exaggerating. The rodeo was one of the most talked-about events at last year’s fair—drawing massive crowds, high-octane rides and nonstop action that left everyone hoarse from cheering. And this year, it’s shaping up to be even bigger.
“You can expect the thrills and the spills and the excitement of a live unrehearsed rodeo,” Eglin said. “This rodeo put some of the top cowboys and cowgirls against some of the best animal athletes in the Northeast.”
This year’s Grange Fair Rodeo will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at the Competition Track.
REAL RIDERS, REAL STAKES
The rodeo isn’t just a spectacle. It’s a sanctioned stop on the American Professional Rodeo Association circuit. That means every ride counts toward qualifying points for the APRA Finals in Ohio this November.
And the stakes are high. Thanks to increased funding, the Grange Fair rodeo will offer between $1,000 and $1,500 in added money per event, which is a big leap from the average rodeo payout.
“The added money that we put up for the cowboys, along with their entry fees, goes into the pot,” Eglin said. “Obviously, the more guys, the more money that’s in there, the more they can win. The money is quite substantial there [at Grange Fair] compared to some rodeos.”
For some riders hovering just outside the Top 12, a win at the Grange Fair could be the ticket they need to punch their way in the top spots.
“You take them to somewhere like the Grange Fair, where they can win $2,000. Well, they went from not being able to go to the finals because they didn’t have enough money to now, all of a sudden, they’re fifth in the world!”
THE BULLS, THE RIDERS AND THE RIDE
While the final list of competitors and animals will be determined closer to the event, a few familiar names are likely to appear. Bulls like “Dust Buster” and “Hondo” are set to make an appearance, with both bulls known for giving riders the hardest eight seconds of their lives.
As for the cowboys and cowgirls, Eglin said it’s a mixed bag.
“They could be 10 or 15 hours from Centre Hall the night before,” Eglin said. “You’re going to have some local guys that are 10 miles from there.”
FAMILY FUN AND FIRST-TIMERS
Don’t worry if it’s your first rodeo. Lucky E keeps the event family-friendly with kid-focused activities like boot and shoe races and dance contests in between events.
“We do some kids’ event during the rodeo,” Eglin said.
A RODEO THAT FOUND ITS HOME
For Eglin and his crew, Grange Fair has become more than a stop on the circuit; It’s become a home.
“The committee is phenomenal,” he said. “It becomes a team effort. The committee, as far as the Grange Fair board, has been so good to work with. So great.”
That kind of synergy, paired with a crowd that shows up ready to cheer until their voices give out, is why Lucky E is coming back.
“We do our part to put on the best shows we possibly can,” Eglin said. “The crowd that comes to the Grange Fair for the rodeo is second to none!”
