2020 Burke Stampede Rodeo Cancelled due to Financial Impact and Public Health Concerns
With a heavy heart, the Burke Riding Club has announced the Burke Stampede Rodeo scheduled for July 17,18, and 19, 2020, has been cancelled.
The Riding Club has worked tirelessly to look for a way to hold the Burke Stampede Rodeo this summer while following CDC social distancing guidelines related to COVID-19 public health concerns. After exploring every possible option, we decided the rodeo could not be conducted in a way that is both financially feasible and safe. The Club relies on our amazing fans and sponsors for the financial support required to put on the greatest show on dirt. Many of our sponsors are dealing with financial stress due to the current economic conditions, and we appreciate those who have expressed their support and willingness to help. However, uncertainty around attendance, volunteer capacity, the ability to follow public health guidelines to keep our communities safe, and the financial pressure on our sponsors makes it extremely difficult to plan this year’s rodeo in a financially responsible manner.
In addition, we were not able to make repairs to damage caused by the 2019 tornado due to COVID-19. A March fundraiser to help fund arena repairs was cancelled because of the pandemic. There are plans to reschedule that fundraiser when the economy improves and the time is right. Without resources to fix the destruction and with limited time to make repairs, it is very difficult to get the arena “rodeo ready” in time.
The Burke Riding Club has been putting on the Burke Stampede Rodeo for over 30 years, and we were so excited to host our first Professional Rodeo this year. We know how much this event means to each and every one of you because it means just as much to us. We have poured years of blood, sweat, and tears into this rodeo, and we can tell you that tears were shed over this decision. It was not an easy decision to make, but we are confident that it is the right one.
Thank you to our sponsors for your commitment to the rodeo even during these financially stressful times. Thank you to our fans and spectators for their unyielding commitment to the Burke Stampede. Thank you to our local communities for having faith that we did everything we could to try to make the rodeo happen and thank you all for your understanding in these unprecedented times.
Burke and our surrounding communities have been through a lot over the past year––a struggling economy, storms, flooding, tornados, and COVID-19. In these trying times, we have faith. We will get through this. We will prevail. We WILL come back stronger than ever in 2021 and provide an even better rodeo for all to enjoy in the years to come!
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
- Burke Riding Club
Our Crows Nest is up for auction for the Friday and Sunday performances.
Dance following the rodeo Friday & Saturday nights!
Burke Stampede Rodeo
All image credit- http://shotsbykatie.com