The 2010 Sunshine Stampede Presented By Coors Light

• All times and locations subject to change
• Events subject to change

March 13-14, 2010

• Rodeo Kickoff Weekend
• Scandals 5th Anniversary Weekend
• Ft. Lauderdale Pride

April 9, 2010 - Friday

• Bon Voyage Party at Scandals Saloon
  Send the Country Western Cruise participants off in style with this Night Before Sailing party!

April 10, 2010 - Saturday

• 2nd Annual Country Western Cruise Departs Miami. The ship returns to Port on Thursday, April 15, 2010
• Country Western Cruise Information

April 15, 2010 – Thursday

• Horse Stalls Open for Early Check In
  NOTE: Stall Space Limited - See Horse Stall Info for more information.
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  1:00 PM
• Welcome Home Party at Rosie's in Wilton Manors
  Continue the shipboard party atmosphere at Wilton Manors' favorite spot to dine, drink, and relax!

April 16, 2010 – Friday

• Horse Stalls Reopen for Regular Check In
  NOTE: Stall Space Limited - See Horse Stall Info for more information.
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  Stalls available for check in. We ask that you arrive by 5:30 PM to complete check in by 6:00 PM
  
  
• Arena Crew Coordinator Seminar
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  Heather Murray, Facilitator
   
• Vendor Set-Up
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  Vendor Application (subject to wait list at this time)
  
  
• Rodeo School
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  10:30 AM - 3:00 PM
  Rodeo School Information
  
  
• Blue Moon Welcome Pool Party and Mixer
  Presented by Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
  Non Ticketed Event – Cash Bar
  Sheraton Hotel – Pool Deck
  2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  After you check in, relax by the pool, have a Blue Moon Belgian White Ale, enjoy the music and meet the cowboys and cowgirls coming in from all over North America.
  
  
• Contestant Registration
  Sheraton Hotel – Empire Ballroom, Salon One
  6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  Credit cards will be accepted at Contestant Registration. We accept Visa and MasterCard and American Express.
  
  
• Rodeo Kickoff Party at Scandals Saloon
  Non Ticketed Event
  8:00 PM - ???
  8:00 PM - Shuttles Start -- Donations accepted, but no ticket required
  8:00 PM - VIP Dance and Bar Area Opens - Passes Required for Access to VIP Area‡
  2:00 AM - Last Shuttle to Hotels
  Hop the shuttles and join the cowboys and cowgirls at Scandals Saloon for the official Rodeo kick-off party in downtown Wilton Manors. The shuttles will be free this year, but donations will be accepted to help defray the cost - remember - "It's all for charity."
  
  
• Cowgirls Mixer
  New Moon Bar - Wilton Manors

April 17, 2010 – Saturday

• Contestant Breakfast
  Bergeron Arena - Free for contestants and officials - CREDENTIALS REQUIRED
  7:30 AM
  
  
• First Time (New) Contestant Meeting
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds – Premium Seating Section, near the Contestant area and Announcer's stand
  8:30 AM
  Mandatory meeting for all first time Rodeo Contestants*
  *Meeting time subject to rodeo start time change
  
  
• Stampede Officials Meeting
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds - Concession area
  8:15 AM
  
  
• 2010 Sunshine Stampede Rodeo, Day One - Presented By Coors Light
  Tickets Required for this event
  7:30 AM - Rodeo Shuttles Start -- Donations accepted, but no ticket required
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  8:45 AM – Gates Open
  9:00 AM - Rodeo Starts – Morning Events
  12:30-ish - Grand Entry
  1:00 PM – Rodeo – Afternoon Events
  1:00 PM - Midway Tent Opens for Dancing and Entertainment
  • DJ C.J. starts the dancing and music on the midway
    
    
• Officials Dinner - Rosie's Bar and Grill. Invitation Only
  
• Hoedown at Scandals Saloon
  Non Ticketed Event
  8:00 PM - ???
  8:00 PM - Shuttles Start -- Donations accepted, but no ticket required
  8:00 PM - VIP Dance and Bar Area Opens - Passes Required for Access to VIP Area‡
  2:00 AM - Last Shuttle to Hotels
  Hop the shuttles and join the cowboys and cowgirls at Scandals Saloon for the official Rodeo kick-off party in downtown Wilton Manors. The shuttles will be free this year, but donations will be accepted to help defray the cost - remember - "It's all for charity."

April 18, 2010 - Sunday

• Contestant Breakfast
  Bergeron Arena - Free for contestants and officials - CREDENTIALS REQUIRED
  7:30 AM
  
  
• 2010 Sunshine Stampede Rodeo, Day Two - Presented by Coors Light
  Tickets Required for this event
  8:00 AM - Rodeo Shuttles Start -- Donations accepted, but no ticket required
  Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
  9:45 AM – Gates Open
  10:00 AM - Rodeo Starts – Morning Events
  Noonish - Grand Entry
  12:45 PM – Rodeo – Afternoon Events
  1:00 PM - Midway Tent Opens for Dancing and Entertainment
  • DJ C.J. starts the dancing and music on the midway
    
    
• Awards Ceremony and Dinner
  Dinner requires a ticket - $10.00
  Awards ceremony itself is a non ticket event
  8:00 PM^† - Pool deck of the Sheraton Hotel
  Dinner tickets are available at the Bergeron Arena ticket office and Friday night at Registration.
  
  ^†Awards ceremony start time is subject to change, based on actual end time of the rodeo. Listen for announcements on Sunday afternoon at the rodeo.
  
  
• Closing Party at Scandals Saloon
  Non Ticketed Event
  8:00 PM - ???
  8:00 PM - Shuttles Start -- Donations accepted, but no ticket required
  8:00 PM - VIP Dance and Bar Area Opens - Passes Required for Access to VIP Area‡
  2:00 AM - Last Shuttle to Hotels
  Hop the shuttles and join the cowboys and cowgirls at Scandals Saloon for the official Rodeo kick-off party in downtown Wilton Manors. The shuttles will be free this year, but donations will be accepted to help defray the cost - remember - "It's all for charity."

Printer Friendly Event Schedule

*Start times subject to change

We Support Animal Welfare*

The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) imposes specified rules, which are strictly enforced, and penalizes any contestant found to be guilty of inhumane treatment of animals, the least of which is their immediate disqualification from further competition.

Gay rodeos operate under greatly modified rules of straight rodeo while still preserving this American tradition. Although consisting of traditional rodeo events such as bull riding and bronc riding, gay rodeo activities purposefully have been tailored to provide the animal and human participants with the safest environment possible, while still demonstrating the skill of the contestant.

IGRA bylaws are public record and include numerous rules which strongly protect animals from abuse, including passages that prohibit the use of lame, sore, sick, or undersized stock; mandate the availability of veterinary care; prohibit the beating or cruel prodding of animals; direct the release of any animal from competition that appears in danger of injuring itself; and forbid the use of metal or fiberglass rigging, any equipment judged to be too tight, or the concealed use of caustic ointments or burrs.

There are, however, groups who do not agree with the utilization of animals in any capacity. These animal rights groups oppose the keeping of animals as pets, the presence of animals in zoos and circuses, and the use of animals in the development of life-saving drugs.

Members of these groups should be able to voice their views and disseminate any information they feel is pertinent to their beliefs - that is, so much that it is factual, well-researched, and based upon first-hand observation, as most of the exaggerated accusations of abuse made by animal rights groups toward gay rodeo are based on erroneous information drawn mainly from straight, backwoods rodeos.

Animal rights supporters take the position that animals are equal or superior to humans based upon their inability to make choices for themselves, and that any use by humans is unjust. Further, these groups infringe upon the differences of the lesbian and gay community by attempting to persuade others to conform to their beliefs, giving the impression that the gay rodeo community is anti-animal. This is patently false, as the sponsoring organizations of the celebrations wish to demonstrate a positive force in the community while proving the diversity of the community.

Patrons of gay rodeo support animal welfare, and the humane, responsible treatment of animals in their housing, feeding and exercising, and hygienic and medical needs. These men and women further believe that the raising of animals in a humane manner to be pets or recreational companions is rewarding for both the animals and humans involved.

*This Animal Welfare Statement used with the permission of IGRA.

Sunshine Stampede Rodeo Round Table
Jim Mitchell:
Dale Zentner:	Asst. Rodeo Director - Midway/Front of House
Rob Haskins:	Asst. Rodeo Director - Admin & Staff
Mike Fontenot:	Asst. Rodeo Director - Arena
Randy Reardon:	Ticketing Director
Mike Fontenot & Gaither Pennington:	Registration Coordinator
Keith Huber:	Interested in sponsoring a buckle? Contact Keith!
Mark Robinson:	Vendor Coordinator
Linda Lee Lynch:	Rodeo School Coordinator
Mike Earley:	Security Director
Tom Runyan:	Security Director
Todd Eller:	Special Projects
Nikol Hillman & Voni Whitaker:	Volunteer Coordinators
Mark DeForest:	Barn Manager
Jim Soefje:	Grand Entry Coordinator

Mailing Address:

FGRA
P.O. Box 13001
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-3001