When rodeo fans file in this weekend at the Fifth Annual Sandy Oaks Pro Rodeo to see their favorite cowboys and cowgirls compete, they won’t just be watching some great action – they will be taking in what amounts to a living history exhibit.

At least that’s the way Sandy and Wesley Quarles, organizers of the event, see it.  

“The rodeo is one of the only things where you can go and see how things were done,” Sandy said recently. “You’re seeing things that are actually happening on the ranches back then and now. With roping, they had to brand cattle so wouldn’t get mixed up with other cattle and cowboys still do that out on ranches today and  it started way back when.

“It’s a living history of what they did. The farmer is more modernized now, but it’s an amazing thing to see. We really are an authentic (living) history when you come out and see the rodeo.”

As always, the rodeo – which will take place this Friday, October 29, and Saturday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. each night – will be an International Professional Rodeo Association sanctioned event in which competitors will earn valuable points that could land them a coveted spot in the International Finals Rodeo.

The rodeo will also see a return of popular stock contractor Ken Treadway with his professional team and world-class stock, which currently includes the current and reigning World Champion Bucking Bull named Upper Hand.

The Third Annual Sandy Oaks Rodeo Parade took place this past weekend on Saturday, October 23. The parade traveled down Main Street before ending after the square.
 
Sponsors for this year’s event include Pepsi, Wrangler, Derrick Equipment John Deere, Robertson Grading, Superior Drywall Supply, Boots, Bridles & Britches, the National Rifle Association, Yonce Ford and Mercury, Home Place Cattle Co. (Barnwell), Sundowner Trailers of Aiken, Interstate Batteries of North Augusta, Braxton Training Center, SRP Federal Credit Union, McDonald’s, and Carquest Auto Parts in McCormick.

“The National Rifle Association will be there and we’ll be flying their flag in the parade as well,” Sandy added. “When I call these folks and tell them what we’re doing they say it will be great. People just believe in this rodeo and they love this rodeo. They want to support what we’re doing and we appreciate that because it’s about having good, clean family fun here in Edgefield County.”

Entertainment will include a young man doing rope tricks (with added fire), Austin Stewart, who is a veteran of the International Finals Rodeo, and clown Mike Wentworth.

Local ticket outlets include Tractor Supply (Aiken, Augusta and North Augusta), Boots, Bridles & Britches (Aiken and Grovetown), Crouch Hardware, SRP Federal Credit Union (Edgefield), Maxwell & Halford, Peachtree Barber & Styles (Johnston), Saluda Hardware, Country Boy Feed & Seed and Interstate Batteries (North Augusta).