Rodeo queen kick-off held
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July 19, 2018
Katie Strehl
Ariana White and Cheyenne Benfield are competing for Freedom Rodeo Princess; Graci Guillen and Tiffany Weber are competing for Freedom Rodeo Queen. These girls will be pounding the pavement and knocking on doors to sell tickets for the 81st Freedom Rodeo and Old Cowboy Reunion on Aug. 16-18. Advance tickets sold by these contestants cost $8 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 and under are free. Selling tickets are just one part of the competition. They will also be judged for their riding ability, interviewing skills and appearance.
Despite the heat that surrounded the Town of Freedom Park, the annual Rodeo Queen Kick-off attracted around 80 folks. The annual cook out and auction did not disappoint. The cookout included hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, grilled onions and a variety of desserts. The Freedom Chamber of Commerce hosted the event. This event is an opportunity to announce who will be running for rodeo princess and rodeo queen and also, the announcement of the Honored Old Cowhand.
This year's Honored Old Cowhand is Gary Gerloff. Gerloff was born and raised in Freedom and graduated from Freedom High School in 1962. The Gerloff ranch is just north of town.
Tiffany Weber and Graci Guillen will compete for the Freedom Rodeo Queen title. Weber lives in Freedom and Guillen is from Woodward. Ariana White and Cheyenne Benfield will compete for the Freedom Rodeo Princess title. Both White and Benfield live in Freedom.
After everyone ate and the announcements were made it was time for the auction. M. J. Ogden from Ogden Realty and Auction was the auctioneer. Before starting he stated he was surprised to be asked to auctioneer.
Katie Strehl
M. J. Ogden was the auctioneer for the event and auction off over 35 items. Bidders bid for the right to sponsor a certain item. Items included saddles, sashes, crowns, blankets, luggage and bridles. Some items were homemade desserts and those went home to the highest bidder.
"I am honored to be here this evening to help with this event. Freedom puts on an outstanding rodeo. But, I'd have to admit, I was surprised to get the call. You realize you already have one of the best auctioneers in the county – maybe even the state," Ogden said. "I now see why. He's being honored tonight. So he gets the night off. Congratulation, Gary."
Patrons made bids on sponsoring items for the rodeo queen and princess. These items include saddles, buckles, crowns, leather sashes, luggage, bridal bags and much more. There were a few homemade desserts made by chamber members that went home with the highest bidder. Most items brought bids of $25 to $100 but a few items went for much more. For example, the queen's saddle went for $450 and the Old Cowhand belt buckle went for $700.
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