Press Releases

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.

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.

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.

Parker Ranch, founded in 1847, surrounds the town of Waimea and thousands of acres across the island between the Kohala Mountains and Mauna Kea. The rodeo grounds are 37 miles by car from Kona International Airport and 57 miles from Hilo Airport on Highway 190.