Additional Information for
1961 will be placed here, when it has been completed.....Sorry for
the inconvenience.
In 1961, a new rodeo site was selected — 11 1/2 acres owned by the city
just east of Darr School at the intersection of West Prospect and the
extension of North Ash. This site remains the location of the annual
rodeo.
The rodeo was known as the Ponca City Cherokee Strip RCA World
Championship Rodeo.
Top money that year went to Duane Hennigh of Laverne, who earned a total
of $611.59 competing in bareback riding, bull dogging and bull riding.
Second place was taken by Albert Rose of Kim, Colo., who received
$409.07 for his efforts in saddle bronc riding and bull dogging.
The celebrity of note for the three-day event was George "Gabby" Hayes,
the western comedy actor, who entertained at all three performances of
the rodeo. A crowd of 6,000 was in attendance at the final performance.
Another featured attraction at the rodeo was the Sedgwick County
Sheriff's Posse, which performed on horseback during the weekend. Queen
for the 1961 rodeo was Miss Priscilla Ann Wilson of Ponca City.
Priscilla was selected from six area candidates.
ANNOUNCER: Bill O' Conner