Festivities galore at annual Clovis Rodeo | The Fresno Bee

Rodeos are more than just athletic competitions, and the Clovis Rodeo is no exception. There's a whole host of activities that go along with the action in the arena. Some picks:

Rodeo after-party

Here's a chance to meet some of your favorite rodeo riders. The 500 Club is hosting an after-party tonight after the evening's events at the arena (including the Easton Corbin concert) are concluded, sometime after 10 p.m. The club is hosting some of the rodeo's professional cowboys at the event.

Cover charge is $5.

Details: 500 Club, 500 Clovis Ave. (559) 299-9951.

Rodeo parade

With the Easter holiday and the rodeo falling on the same weekend, it's no surprise the theme this year of Saturday's parade is "A Cowboy's Easter Parade." (This is one situation in which it will be perfectly proper to wear a cowboy hat in lieu of an Easter bonnet.)

More than 200 entries in 27 categories will wind through the streets of Old Town Clovis. Entries include marching bands, horse-drawn vehicles, mounted groups, novelty acts and themed floats.

The first Clovis Rodeo Parade was held in 1925. Theme floats will compete for $1,200 in prizes.

Details: 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The parade starts at Railroad and Barstow avenues. Route length is 2 1/2 miles and overall viewing time approximately two hours.

Rodeo dance

There's no better way to dance the night away at the Clovis Rodeo than to a Clovis country band.

Chris Curtice & Wild Horses, founded in Clovis in 1997, will perform at Saturday's Rodeo Dance. The group has three CDs: "Forever Bound By the Heart," "What's One More Heartache" and "The Shield." The band is working on a fourth project tentatively titled "Born to Be Wild."

Details: 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Clovis Rodeo Hall. Tickets: $10.

Rodeo queen

Seven candidates are competing for the title of 2011 Clovis Rodeo Queen -- and the winner will be revealed at Saturday's queen coronation. Candidates are graded on their scholastic achievement, poise, showmanship, interview skills and horsemanship. The winner will receive more than $3,000 in scholarship funds.

Candidates are Kristy Lee Graham, Allison Harman, Brittany Hart, Jessica Haynie, Courtney Thomas, Brionna von Ah and Keeley Hall.

Details: 1 p.m. Saturday, Clovis Rodeo Arena. The event is included as part of regular admission.

Special Kids Rodeo

One heartwarming tradition at the Clovis Rodeo is the Special Kids Rodeo, which gives 30 special-needs children the chance to participate in modified events. Each child will be outfitted for his or her role as a cowboy or cowgirl with shirt, bandana, lasso and cowboy hat and teamed with an adult partner.

The events include bronc riding, in which each child is set down on a specially designed, hand-rocked bareback horse for an eight-second ride.

Details: 12:45-1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Clovis Rodeo Arena, just before the final performance kicks off at 2 p.m. The event is included as part of regular admission.