Time to Saddle Up! :: Hot Rodeo Palm Springs

Break out your cowboy hats, chaps and spurs, because the Palm Springs Hot Rodeo is being held Thursday, May 11 through Sunday, May 14. There are a wealth of activities to behold, both as a spectator and to participate in. Don't worry, "pardner," that doesn't mean you've gotta know how to rope and ride -- there will be a pool party and a dance as well, the weekend is a blending of traditional and non-traditional rodeo events.

The Rage Monthly spoke with Jeff Rosenberg about the annual rodeo festival, which is produced by the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, or GSGRA, which is a part of the International Gay Rodeo As- sociation (IGRA), for those in the know.

We asked how Rosenberg became involved with Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association. He offered this: "I was introduced to gay rodeos in the late 1980s and early 1990s while helping a vendor with their display at the Los Angeles Gay Rodeos. It wasn't until 2011 that I met my partner, Sammy, who has been a long-time competitor and organizer of gay rodeos in California."

He continued, "I became more involved with the local Palm Springs chapter serving as Chapter Secretary, then Chapter President before being elected to an office in GSGRA, and am in the second year of my two-year term as President of GSGRA."

The IGRA has many chapters, and when asked how inclusive other chapters are outside of GSGRA, Rosenberg discussed the challenges for both local and national chapters. "Both chapters (including Los Angeles Gay Rodeo and Palm Springs Hot Rodeo) are fortunate enough to host rodeos in a time when many struggle with financial sponsorship and organizational shortfalls." Extolling the role of the larger organization, participants and attendees, he continued. "The IGRA and its member organizations are also helpful and supportive. Contestants from all over the U.S. and Canada travel to the various IGRA sanctioned rodeos. There is also a following of spectators who attend, volunteer, and just have fun at the rodeos."

Locally, Rosenberg talked about the importance of community involvement. "The community supports the Palm Springs Rodeo, many organizations are recruited and involved in the weekend. Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Palm Springs Gay Softball League, Palm Springs Desert Invitational Classic Committee and The LGBT Center are just a few organizations that contribute in some way with volunteers and/or partnerships that are reciprocal in our community."

Summing things up nicely, he finished with, "The rodeo group participates and volunteers at their events during the year and they participate and volunteer in our fundraisers and events. I think we have a great relationship and support from the many gay and non-gay groups in our community."

Rosenberg talked about what attendees can expect during the rodeo. "The entire weekend has scheduled events, such as pool parties, dances, meet-n-greets, traditional and non-traditional rodeo events." Clarifying further, he talked about specifics, "For the rodeo-minded, competition events are held at the AC Dysart Equestrian Center in Banning, CA on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14. Some events are held earlier in the morning with a ceremonial Grand Entry around noonish, and the remainder of events in the afternoon. For the weekend fun-seekers, many of the sponsors of the rodeo are located in downtown Palm Springs and events are held at their locations to welcome contestants and spectators alike."

"I say this every year: 'Bring sun screen and lip balm. It will be hot!'" Rosenberg continued. "The fun is expected to begin on Thursday with a Dance Contest with two-step, waltz, line dancing to popular country dance music, so you can show off your moves. A Pool Party at the rodeo host hotel, Baymont Suites on Friday, kicks off the weekend of fun, which leads into contestant registration and welcome parties and meet-n-greets Friday night."

More specifics for the following days more traditional rodeo events followed, "Saturday begins competitive events with traditional and non-traditional rodeo events in Banning, then more outdoor, open air dancing Saturday night at Arenas and South Indian Canyon Drive, more competitive events on Sunday and bringing the rodeo to a close, an awards ceremony at which the cowboys and cowgirls are awarded trophy buckles and ribbons in
their competitive events."

HOT RODEO WEEKEND LINEUP

Competitive rodeo events occur in the A.C. Dysart Equestrian Center arena on Hot Rodeo 2017 days, in more than thirteen scheduled categories. Highlights include: Calf Roping on Foot, Team Roping, Break-away, Steer Deco, Pole Bending, Steer Riding, Chute Dogging, Barrels, Flags, Wild Drag and Bull Riding.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

So You Think You Can Dance (6:30 to 9 p.m.)
Trunks Bar, 36737 Cathedral Canyon Drive in Cathedral City
Welcome Party and Contest (9 p.m. to close)
Hunters, 302 E. Arenas Road

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Hot & Wet Cowboy Pool Party (1 to 6 p.m.)
Baymont Inn & Suites, 390 S. Indian Canyon Drive
Hot Rodeo Registration (5 to 8 p.m.)
Baymont Inn & Suites
The Women of Rodeo (7 to 11 p.m.)
Azul, 369 North Palm Canyon Drive
The Men of Rodeo (7 to 11 p.m.)
Tool Shed, 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Day One of Hot Rodeo:
Action-packed events (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) A.C. Dysart Equestrian Center, 2101 W. Victory Avenue in Banning

The Women of Rode Awards Ceremony
Azul, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive (8 to 11 p.m.)

Dancing Under the Stars (7 p.m. to close)
Scorpion Room at Chill Bar parking lot
217 E. Arenas Road
Featuring celebrity DJ Rick Dominguez
A great opportunity to sweep a cowboy off his feet... or get swept away by one!

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Day Two of Hot Rodeo:
The excitement continues (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) A.C. Dysart Equestrian Center
2101 W. Victory Avenue

Rodeo Awards Ceremony and optional dinner. (7 to 11 p.m.)
Azul, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive

The Palm Springs Gay Rodeo takes place from Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14.

For more information on how to participate, additional event details, updates or to purchase tickets, go to hotrodeo.org