Professional bull riders take over the Southern Illinois Center this weekend
The National Federation of Professional Bullriders National Finals is coming to the Southern Illinois Center at he Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8. Filled with the stars of the Federation, the best of the best will be riding for thousands of dollars in prize money and prizes. Seats are $14 for adult and $8 for children at the door.
The weekend will also feature a Special Olympics rodeo on Saturday.
There is a launch party Thursday night at the St. Nicholas Brewing Co. restaurant on Thursday night and live music during Friday and Saturday night after parties at Alongi's featuring Keenan Rice and Chris Slone.
This year we will be featuring the top contestants of the NFPB (National Federation of Professional Bullriders) to go against bulls from some of the best stock contractors in the country. The nation's top 25 bull riders will each ride two bulls a night. The NFPB pays out over three quarters of a million dollars a season and has a membership of 300 bull riders. Expect to see an impressive line-up of stock . There will be over a dozen different stock contractors supplying their best bulls in Du Quoin
Here is your chance to see up close and personal some of the guys you have seen on TV, such as; Mason Lowe the rookie noted who took on the legendary Bushwacker in Tulsa two years ago. Caleb Ruyle multi-time finals qualifier, and one of Illinois' own. Brent Minz multi-year qualifier. Tanner Rankin of Texas. The finals are the culmination of 150 sanctioned events all over the country for the competitors to get to this point.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, The National Federation of Professional Bull Riders (NFPB) will host their first ever Special Olympics Day/VIP Rodeo at their National Finals event at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin Illinois.
As part of the Nov. 7 and 8 event at the SI Center in Du Quoin, Clint Jackson and NFPB have invited athletes from Special Olympics Illinois Southern Area 15 and Southeastern Area 14 to take part in a VIP Rodeo at 10 a.m. on Saturday Nov. 8. This event is being offered free of charge to all Special Olympics athletes and their families. Special Olympics athletes will have the opportunity to work with the bull riders to hone their rodeo skills. Athletes will have the opportunity to ride horses, practice throwing rope, and even get to ride a bull made of hay as part of their VIP experience. Lunch will also be provided to all athletes.
In addition to the VIP Rodeo, all Special Olympics athletes will receive a free ticket to the NFPB National Finals at 8 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 8. Special Olympics Illinois athletes will put their stamp on the event as Brenna Asbury is set to sing 'God Bless America' and Katrina Valliant is scheduled to sing the National Anthem. Both girls are Special Olympics Illinois athletes competing with Southern Area 15.
SO ILL Southern/Area 15 is one of 18 Areas of Special Olympics Illinois. Southern/Area 15 was founded in 1970 and currently serves more than 1400 athletes, has 80 active agencies and more than 1,600 volunteers. Southern/Area 15 offers competition for athletes in 14 sports. For more information on Southern/Area 15, contact Area Director Paul Melzer at pmelzer@soill.org or 618-457-2969.