Can Boston Rodeo? The Wild West In the East

Country isn’t what it used to be. The music, the clothing, the mode, are all seeping into places that were once way too slick for that kind of grit, dust, and such. I went to university with a friend who lived in Canada’s rodeo country and it was as foreign of a world as I have ever known. I still don’t know what a real rodeo is like but I have learned to accept some country music (the less problematic kind) and I am definitely fascinated by the whole chunky heeled cowboy boot and crisp rimmed cowboy hat uniform. I know there are places not too far from here that this uniform is the norm but for now it is still pretty alien in Boston. We will never be the heart of rodeo country, but we are willing to give it a good ol’ New England try and this year you can get your rodeo on at the Boston Rodeo and Music Festival at City Hall Plaza. Tickets start at $83.48 and include: festival grounds entry access to City Hall Plaza, including the rodeo arena, main stage, side stage, and beer garden. as well as first-come, first-serve access to the main stage pit. two hours of pro rodeo action: watching the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls compete in all eight PRCA events, from bull riding to barrel racing. Tickets can be purchased here.

There will be live music all day with headliners and rising local acts on two different stages. The line up on the side stage will have Northeast Country Singer Fred Ellsworth followed by less local, but no less entertaining Hold Your Lady Tight Night a country line dance and two step group out of the Twin Cities, MN. On the main stage you can catch: Evan Honer who just played Thompson’s Point in Portland Maine supporting Vance Joy. Honer will be releasing his new album the day before the Boston Rodeo on September 19th. Kassi Ashton will bring her raw roadhouse sound and authentic songwriting from California (NO NOT CA) but California, MO. She’s country country. O’Connor Brothers Band will bring their five piece band from Denver, CO with a new roots and rock music sound.

The rodeo experience area will have two hours of PRCA Pro Rodeo events such as bull riding and barrel racing. There will be a mechanical bull for those who think rodeo looks easy to give it a try and prepare to be humbled. New Englanders may not have the bull riding down, but I hear that Boston has some pretty good line dancers who have been practicing at local line dancing nights with Jason Peterson at Loretta’s Last Call and now at Ned Divine’s. For the Boston Rodeo, Hold Your Lady Tight Night will be hosting the line dancing action.

In addition to the two stages and the rodeo experience there will be a nonprofit alley and vendor marketplace where you can learn about local nonprofits, shop country and Americana goods, and discover festival boutiques. There will also be food and drinks available for purchase. While you are allowed to leave and re-enter the Boston Rodeo, it is set up so you don’t have to. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. and you can stay for the long haul. Boston Rodeo attendees can fuel up with food trucks, cold beer, and cocktails throughout the plaza.

Rodeo in Boston isn’t exactly new. In 1931, Boston Garden hosted, what was then a new trend, the indoor rodeo in an urban setting. These were put on by Col W. T. Johnson and rodeo was rodeo no matter what your gender you were able to compete and the rules were the same for everyone. You can learn more about it here from Boston’s West End Museum.

The Boston Rodeo and Music festival is being put on by the The Local Maximum a nonprofit organization that curates unique events to bring communities together and to support local charities. The charities for The Boston Rodeo are: The Genesis Foundation For Children and Folds of Honor Boston.