Let's Rodeo - Jasper, TX - Murals on Waymarking.com

Founded by a group of local businessmen called the Jasper Rodeo and Cattle Company in 1946, the Jasper Lions Benefit Rodeo has become the longest consecutive running PRCA Rodeo in Texas. The original group included C.T. Bledsoe, Sr., Robert Herman Hancock, Sr., Virgil Mays. The rodeo arena was designed by Pete Hilton with a covered roof added in 1998.

Herman Hancock (pictured on the white horse in center arena) known as “Mr. Rodeo” tirelessly worked as chairman from 1962 until his death in 1988.

Rodeo fans have been entertained over the years by legendary Cowboys such as Gene Gay, and Larry Mahan, Ty Murray and by Country and Western entertainers such as Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins Willie Nelson, Eddy Arnold, Ray Price, Hank Williams, Jr., Asleep at the Wheel, Tracy Byrd, Clint Black, Dixie Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Bellamy Brothers, and Garth Brooks.

Nationally known rodeo announcers such as Chuck Parkinson and Duane Peters and stock producer Neil Gay worked the rodeo for many years.

Hall of Fame rodeo clown Rick Young “The Ragin’ Cajun”, (20 ft clown in mural) along with H.R. Williams, Frank Rhodes, Rick Chapman, Rob Smets, Quail Dobbs, (pictured in the barrel) and others have kept audiences laughing and the bull-riders safe.

Jaspers own “Good Guys and Bad Guys” help promote the rodeo in the East Texas region and also entertain the fans for years. The original group included Charlie Nicholson, Rodger Hill, Frank Glover, and Ray Hilly.

Thousands of dollars have been raised by the Lions Club event for its charitable projects including the Crippled Children's Camp, Lions Community Center, Eyeglasses Program, Local Youth, Scouting Groups, and College Scholarships.

The annual Rodeo is held over four days in the early May and kicks off with a parade in downtown Jasper that includes community participants from around the region, keeping the heritage and tradition of rodeo alive and well in East Texas. Let's Rodeo!