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Word's Toughest Rodeo ropes in folks both young and old
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By Kevin Smith, correspondent@qconline.com
By Kevin Smith, correspondent@qconline.com
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MOLINE -- Rodeo-lovers, young and old, gathered on Friday night at the i wireless Center to watch daring cowboys compete at the World's Toughest Rodeo's fourth stop on its winter tour. Thrill-seekers and animal lovers alike showed their support for some of the nation's top cowboys and cowgirls while enjoying the show of bulls and broncs as a family. Dave Klindt, of Bettendorf, said he looked forward all year to coming to the rodeo with his 5-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. The family marked its calendar in advance, he said, to catch the excitement of the bull-riding at the rodeo. Ray Smith, of East Moline, a horse trainer for 40 years, made a point to bring his two 7-year-old grandsons to experience the rodeo. The family showed up early to get an up-close look at the horses. He said heespecially looked forward to watching the horses in action during the barrel racing. Ashley Belha, of Thomson, said she expected the barrel racing to be the most exciting event of the night. "You see the speed and agility of the horses," she added. Eric Teel, of Buffalo, brought his five sons -- all younger than the age of 10 -- to see the bulls and horses in action. "This is our second year, so we kind of turned it into a family thing," he said. Many families said they have been attending rodeos for decades and were sharing the experience with a new generation on Friday night. "I used to go to the rodeo all the time when I was a kid," said Diane Cox, of Galesburg. There's a universal appeal to the rodeo, according to the event's announcer, Roger Mooney.While many events are highly competitive, the entire rodeo experience is designed to be fan-centered, he said. "It doesn't matter if you're 6, 66 or 96," Mr. Mooney said. "The rodeo's got everything." The cowboys participating at this weekend's event come from throughout the nation, Mr. Mooney said. Many perform about 200 shows per year, at as many as 50 different venues. 
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Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood.
1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday.
1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.
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