Imagine waiting more than 20 years to attend the dance you had your heart set on? Such is the story of one Wimberley woman. Not quite at the age to attend the last rodeo dance, her father promised she could go the following year. Unfortunately for her, the dance, along with her dream, was put on ice until the Wimberley VFW rodeo committee brought it back this year.
But the dance almost didn’t happen. The band that was originally booked to play canceled because the lead singer was sick. Scheduled to kick off in less than 24 hours, Quartermaster Nathan Hall, who was its main organizer, worked the phones until he was able to secure the Broken Arrow band from Kyle.
“Broken Arrow saved the night,” he said. “Sixteen hours after we talked, they showed up, set up and played until 12:30 a.m.”
According to Hall, the dance brought out a good crowd. “It was a multi-generational affair, attendees ranged all the way from kids to grandparents.” It was a family affair too, especially for the woman who waited 20-some years to attend. “I’m pretty sure she brought her whole family with her,” said Hall. “Imagine having to wait all of those years!”
For the last 79 years, Wimberley VFW Post #6441, has been hosting the July 4 rodeo. Not to be confused with the city’s other two rodeos that use the Chester Franklin Arena – the 4H Memorial Day rodeo and the Gunner Thames Labor Day rodeo – the VFW’s rodeo committee begins planning in August each year.
It is the post’s largest fundraiser of the year. A 16-member committee tackles the long list of details necessary to put on such an event and relies on volunteer coordinator Bob Flocke to raise the army of volunteers necessary to make it run smoothly.
About 30 volunteers take care of such tasks as ticketing, staffing the gates and managing the parking during the three-day event. The VFW Auxiliary, under the long-time leadership of Jenny Bravo, manages the food and secures food vendors. It’s all a big job.
The money raised from the rodeo supports veterans, their families and the local community.
Next year, the July 4 rodeo will celebrate two milestones. According to Post Commander Huey Sandifer, “The rodeo will celebrate its 80-year anniversary and the country’s semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday.”
Next year it will be held again on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and will include the end of the rodeo dance on Saturday night. It has never once been canceled in all of those years, despite what was erroneously reported in last week’s Wimberley View.
That’s very good news for young ladies who have their heart set on attending next year’s rodeo dance.
