Signature Gallup summer event kicks off
The start of July means summer is in full bloom and crowds become hungry for events where they can gather and have a good time. For residents of Gallup and the Four Corners region, there is one event that is high on that list: WildThing Championship Bullriding.
Each year, crowds gather in Red Rock Park to watch the number one open bull riding in the southwest, where some of the top bull riders in the country and beyond match up against some of the best bucking bulls in the country, as WildThing Coordinator Larry Peterson told the Sun.
“We have a lot of really good riders coming to Red Rock Park, some of the top Navajo riders, riders from the [Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association] and [Professional Bull Riding], and two Brazilian riders on July 8,” Peterson said. “We’ve got a lot of good riders lined up for both nights.”
RAMPING UP
WildThing runs July 8-9 this year, where Peterson said they want to build on the success the show had in 2021 following its cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The show is going to be big and strong just like last year. Everyone was really missing it the previous year, and they all turned out really heavy last year,” Peterson said. “We want to make it a strong, electric show that’ll be fun for everyone.”
Some of the entertainment on tap for WildThing include the crowd favorite wooly riding, where six young champion riders compete for the top honor; Cowboy Poker, where a group of daring card players play a few hands while a bull circles them; and a big pyrotechnics show each night, which Peterson said will provide the show that the City of Gallup was unable to hold this year for the Fourth of July.
But, as is tradition, Peterson also tells WildThing visitors to expect the unexpected.
“There are always surprises at WildThing and we can already feel the energy in town building up. We welcome a heavy crowd due to our great sponsors. There will be prizes for visitors to win and great new clothes for them to view,” Peterson continued.
The increase in crowds is welcome in part to overcoming several logistical challenges WildThing faced last year, Peterson noted. As previously reported by the Sun, WildThing 2021 was the first major event held in Gallup following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the show could have been limited due to occupancy and distancing guidelines.
“It’s tough putting on a big show like this [with those challenges],” Peterson said. “If they had enforced all the protocols it would have been tough for us to do what we want to do. But with the current guidelines, we can carry on and rock and roll as normal.”
As part of the guidelines, Peterson said each visitor can choose to wear a mask or not.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
The cancellation of WildThing in 2020 was not just a blow to a community seeking entertainment and fun when there seemed to be little of either, it was a blow to Manuelito Children’s Home, which coordinates and runs the parking and concessions for WildThing, making it the home’s largest single fundraiser of each year.
“The Children’s Home puts on great concessions for our visitors each year, and last year they broke their own record for the funds they raised for those services,” Peterson said.
With current world events unfolding and bringing uncertainty to many people, Peterson agreed WildThing is a prime opportunity for people to come and have fun to help them face those challenges.
“If you haven’t gone to WildThing, you’re missing out. We have a fun, exciting show ready for everyone. We invite them all to come out, support the children’s home while they’re here, and have a good time,” Peterson said.
It was noted by Peterson afterwards that folding lawn chairs cannot be brought into the premises this year, as they could be inconvenient for visitors and staff.
For more information on WildThing, including ticket sales and where to purchase them, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wildthing.bullriding/.
By Cody Begaye
Contributing Editor
