Thunder in the Valley offers action, laughs

April 20, 2008 12:59 pm

— Brickfest 2008 is just around the corner and, from Native American dancers to vintage aircraft, there is a wide variety of fun, food and entertainment planned for festival goers.
Main Street Pauls Valley Director, Samantha Robb, said a big crowd pleaser, Thunder In The Valley, is scheduled to wrap up the activities Saturday night.
“Plans for Brickfest are moving right along and there are a number of exciting events scheduled for this year’s celebration. Festivities will go from Friday, May 2 through Saturday, May 3 and Main Street strived to secure the best artisans, crafts people, entertainment and food vendors available,” explained
“We’ll have some popular main attractions returning this year, including the Sixth Annual Thunder In The Valley. The rodeo will take place Saturday, May 3 with Mutton Bustin’ starting at 5 p.m., followed by bull riding action beginning at 7 p.m.”
Sponsored by the Pauls Valley Rotary Club, the show will feature 30 bulls pitted against 30 bullriders at the Pauls Valley Round Up Club Arena in Wacker Park.
“The Mutton Bustin’ contest will be open to all children this time, so we’re expecting a huge number of entries for this family favorite event,” said Thunder in the Valley organizer Lora Scoggins.
While the young mutton busters and seasoned bull riders are sure to provide some fast-paced action for spectators, rodeo promoters said one of the highlights of the evening will be the side-splitting entertainment occurring during the Calf Dressing Contest.
“It’s absolutely hilarious! A calf on a lead rope is released and you have to let him go 20 feet. Then you have to get control of him and put a large pair of panties on him.
“Lora Scoggins is one of our team members and to my knowledge we’re the only team with a woman that has won the competition. We’ve won three consecutive years and we’re challenging people to put together a team and try to take the title away from us this year,” said Pauls Valley Rotary Club team member, Loren Cronin.
“People can show up the night of the rodeo and register to compete. The cost is only $50 per team and all proceeds go toward a local cause. It’s a lot of fun and the winning team will walk away with bragging rights until next year.”
Advance $8 admission tickets can be purchased from any Pauls Valley Rotary Club member or at the Brickfest Information Booth on Saturday, May 3, prior to the show.
Admission at the door will $10 per person.
Scoggins said the money raised from the event will go toward the numerous community projects the Pauls Valley Rotary Club sponsors through out the year.
Other events planned for the Brickfest weekend include the Valley Rally Bike Tour, the Pauls Valley General Hospital’s Health Fair, a hot air balloon demonstration at Wacker Park and the annual fly-in at the Pauls Valley Municipal Airport.
This year’s festival will also feature a concert on Friday night prior to Brickfest and a Saturday concert by the popular 70’s group “Super Freak.”
Preceding the weekend festivities, a special dinner in honor of Miss Rodeo U.S.A. will be held at the Toy and Action Figure Museum.
The event will take place Wednesday, April 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the cost is $20 per plate. Seating is limited to 47 participants and tickets will be available for purchase by next week.
For more information on Brickfest call the Main Street office at 238-2555.

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