Cowboys and cowgirls are gearing up for the 76th annual Sallisaw Lions Club IPRA Rodeo Aug. 1-3 and the rodeo is also bringing back the Miss Rodeo Sallisaw pageant.

Rodeo events will begin each night at 8 p.m. and the rodeo parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 1). Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 10 and children under 5 are admitted free.

The rodeo features the usual events that include bull riding, bareback bronc riding, cowgirls barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and cowgirls breakaway roping. There will also be mutton busting, pony rides and wild horse races.

Following the rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights are dances that feature Western Justice (Friday) and Reckless Stones (Saturday).

Stock is provided by Hampton Rodeo Co. and announcer will be Matt McGee. The rodeo clown is Mike Wentworth and bullfighter will be Matt Libby.

In addition to the Lions Club, sponsors also include Blue Ribbon Auto Group, Cherokee Casino, Merrill Bonding and Coors.

Pageant contestants do not have to take part in the parade, but are welcome to do so.

Contestants check in for orientation Friday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. when judges will conduct interviews and contestants will have dinner with the judges and participate in the grand entry.

Contestants are asked to wear a white shirt, dark jeans, a western hat (black or white only) and western boots for the horsemanship event at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Split reins are required for the Miss and Junior Miss divisions of horsemanship. Tie downs and spurs are optional. The horsemanship event is free to the public and the cost to see the style show is $10.

During this time speeches of the contestant’s topic of choosing will be heard and impromptu questions will be given. A style show will also be held at this time and contestants are urged to dress in western party attire.

The coronation will be held at the rodeo Saturday night.