Activities

JULY 4 RODEO and HORSE RACES

“YEAR OF THE PANIOLO” TO BE CELEBRATED AT PARKER RANCH JULY 4 RODEO and HORSE RACES

Waimea, Hawai‘i’s Big Island ~ Parker Ranch joins the statewide celebration of the “Year of the Paniolo” during their 46th Annual Independence Day Rodeo and Horse Races on Friday, July 4, 2008 at the Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena in Waimea.

The action begins at 9:00 a.m. with a grand entry parade and continues non-stop until 12 noon. The line-up of rodeo events, featuring Parker Ranch cowboys joined by paniolo from ranches all around the Big Island, is full of excitement. Spectators enjoy thrilling horse races, team sorting, double mugging, dally team roping, the unique-to-Hawai‘i Po‘o Wai U and more.

Visitors welcome the opportunity to see Hawai‘i’s cowboys in action while enjoying local food, keiki (children) activities, and shopping for Parker Ranch logo items at the Parker Ranch Store booth.

July 4 rodeo tickets are $5 per person in advance or $6 at the gate. Presale begins June 1 at the Parker Ranch Store at the Parker Ranch Center, Waimea. Children 10 and under are free. For more information, call 808-885-5669.

Keiki Activities at the Rodeo
Round up the Keiki for the Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo and Horse races! This year we are happy to welcome back to the Keiki Corner a Parker Ranch favorite, Engineer Tim and his Zoo Choo Train. Chuga-chuga-ChoooChoooo! And our dear friends at Waimea Riding Academy will once again provide pony rides for all that little ones that want to saddle up paniolo style! Whether it’s an iron horse or the real thing, the kids are bound to have fun at the Keiki Corner by the Green Barn at the Parker Ranch July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races. Activity tickets are $3.00 per ride on sale at the Green Barn from 9:00am to Noon during the Rodeo.

Year of the Paniolo
In recognition of the achievements of Parker Ranch paniolo Ikua Purdy at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming 1908, the governor of Hawaii declared this centennial year of 2008 as “The Year of the Paniolo.” The Paniolo Preservation Society and its Waiomina Centennial Committee, headquartered in Waimea, are planning celebratory events throughout the year. Waiomina is the Hawaiian word for Wyoming.