Lions Rodeo partners with Coke to kick off ticket sales this Friday

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr JASPER MAYOR DAVID BARBER received one of the first 2007 Jasper Lions Rodeo 2007 t-shirts when he signed the proclamation naming April 20 as Beaumont Coca-Cola Day in Jasper. Coca- Cola is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a party to kick-off the opening of the rodeo ticket office. Pictured with Barber (seated) are Ben Hancock, arena director; Larry Dickerson, production chair; Scott Burton, rodeo chair; Darlene Nolen, chair of "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" night; and H.C. Dickerson, member of the Lions Club who sponsor the annual rodeo.

The ticket booth for the 61st annual Jasper Lions Benefit Rodeo will open Friday, April 20, with a big party planned by the Jasper Lions and Beaumont Coca-Cola, according to Scott Burton, rodeo chairman.

When the ticket office in the Baskins' parking lot on U.S. Highway 96 opens this Friday, the Lions Club will be selling a fried catfish plate, and Coke will be donating drinks and giving away commemorative items.

Jasper Mayor David Barber declared April 20 "Coca-Cola Day" in recognition of Beaumont Coca-Cola's 100th anniversary.

The proclamation notes that when Coca-Cola Bottling in Beaumont began in 1907, Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House. Transportation in Jasper would have been horse-drawn carriage or on foot, although the railroad had finally reached Jasper just a few years earlier.

Chances are some Jasper boys got their first taste of Coke when they went to Beaumont to work in the oil field, which was booming after the Spindletop gusher in 1901.

"Coke will also be involved in the Saturday night performance by supporting Tough Enough to Wear Pink night," Burton said. "TETWP is a national phenomenon that came about several years ago at the national finals rodeo in Las Vegas."

Darlene Nolen, president of the Jasper Woman's Civic Club and a Lion Club member is chair of the Tough Enough committee.

"The idea is to raise awareness and raise money for treatment and research for breast cancer," Nolen said.

Last year they sold chances on a pink cowboy hat, which was won by Mike Lout, who donated it back to the group to sell again this year.

Chances on the hat and tickets for the May 9-12 rodeo go on sale this Friday.

Wednesday, May 9, will be the rodeo parade at 5 p.m., stick horse parade for ages 1-8 at 6:30 p.m., and family night entertainment with the Tailor Made Band at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday starts with mutton-bustin' for ages 5-8 at 6:30 p.m. followed by rodeo entertainment with John Conlee at 7:30 p.m.

Friday is a benefit for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund with entertainer Keith Anderson.

Saturday, the Queen's context is a 7 p.m. followed by Tough Enough to Wear Pink night with entertainment by the group Heartland.