No bull: The rodeo is back in Atlantic City
In just two short years, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo has established itself as popular seaside attraction.
THERE ARE plenty of things readily associated with Atlantic City - the beach, the ocean and the iconic Boardwalk, to name a few.
But rodeos?
You bet, pardner!
In just two short years, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo has gone from experiment to dependable draw, luring not only dozens of top performers from the national circuit, but also thousands of fans of all ages who have found themselves delighted and enthralled by such events as bareback horse riding and steer roping.
"People get really excited about it. We've been getting some of the top cowboys in the world. It's really been good for us," said Janet Markowitz, chairperson of the third annual Boardwalk Rodeo, which takes place Oct. 5-6 at Boardwalk Hall.
It's not that rodeo is particularly foreign to New Jersey. After all, the Cowtown Rodeo in Woodstown, Salem County, has been a regional favorite for decades. But the AC roundup takes the sport to a whole different level, thanks to the caliber of talent it attracts.
"When you look at the 2013 world standings, it's really interesting to see how many of the top guys we've had, in the past," said Markowitz. "We probably had 60 of the top 100 guys in the world."
This year's roster has yet to be announced, but during the past two years, rodeo superstars who've appeared in Atlantic City include steer-roping champs Cody Lee, Bryce Davis and J.P. Wickett, and bull-riding heroes Cooper Davis and Cody Campbell. The Boardwalk Rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the sport's equivalent of the PGA.
While animal-rights activists have long bedeviled circus promoters, they've been far less focused on the rodeo world. That, Markowitz suggested, is because rodeo animals - especially those featured in Atlantic City, which are raised on the Barnes Ranch of Peterson, Iowa - are treated quite well.
"Their animals are so well taken care of," she said. "Everything you see at a rodeo, they're all things that are done at the ranch. When you talk about roping calves or things like that, if an animal is sick, or has to be checked, they have to rope the animal to get it."
As for the program's individual events, Markowitz cited bareback horse riding and bull riding as two of the lead draws. But, she added, it's the high-energy pacing that keeps fans in their seats.
"It's action from start to finish."
Food for thought
If you're going to stage a barbecue bash, it makes perfect sense to do it while the rodeo is in town, right? After all, what culinary experience matches the whole Western vibe better than outdoor grilling?
Which is likely the reason a new event, the Smokin' Hot Atlantic City BBQ Championship, is being conducted concurrent to the rodeo. It takes place Oct. 5-6 in the parking lot on the eastern side of Showboat Atlantic City. Participants will vie for $50,000 in cash prizes (not to mention bragging rights). The bash also includes live entertainment, an outdoor expo, grilling demonstrations and free product sampling.