Our View

Once again it’s time for Shawnee and surrounding communities to put out the welcome mat. By later this afternoon, several thousand people will have arrived for this year’s International Finals Youth Rodeo.
A sprinkling of the visitors began showing up Friday, when some of the early arrivals came to check in horses and set up their RVs. Beginning early Saturday, there was a steady stream which was expected to last through the night and into this afternoon.
Despite spiraling fuel prices, around 900 contestants are expected to compete this week in the 16th annual IFYR. This is more than just a rodeo. It’s a huge event that Shawnee should take pride in hosting because it originated here and this community owns it.
The IFYR would not be possible without the more than 500 volunteers who serve tirelessly to ensure its success. The Expo staff consists of 10 full-time people, so it’s easy to see why the massive volunteer force is needed. Without them, this event would not have been born in 1993, nor would it have continued year after year.
The Expo staff does a tremendous job of getting the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center ready, including all of the buildings, arenas and grounds. They work long hours, both before and during the event, just as the volunteers do, to ensure the contestants, their families and friends, and the other spectators who visit  during the week, enjoy their stay and have the best possible experience.
Throughout the years, as we have talked with visitors, we repeatedly have heard how friendly and accommodating everyone is. They marvel at how the staff and volunteers are able to pull this off, whether it’s with temperatures approaching or surpassing the century mark or pouring down rain.
We are certain that will be the case again this year. It’s no small feat either.
Shawnee and surrounding communities have the opportunity to provide first-class hospitality and showcase themselves as they have in the past.
Planning for this year’s rodeo began a year ago, immediately after IFYR 15 had concluded. It’s become a year-long process, to secure sponsorships necessary to help fund it, to make sure contestants have it on their calendars and to fix minor problems that might have popped up and to keep them from being repeated.
There was some uncertainty, and rightfully so, how many contestants could afford to return or make their initial trip to Shawnee because of the fuel prices which have skyrocketed in the past year. Diesel costs have risen nearly $2 a gallon since last year’s IFYR.
It appears that contestant numbers will be around 85 percent of the recording-setting 1,048 which competed here in 2007. That is believed to be very good.
We welcome our visitors who are coming from 27 states and pray for their safety as they compete this week. And, here’s hoping for no rain and cooler temperatures.
It’s time to rodeo!