Boots, spurs and a rodeo

Put on those cowboy boots and strap on the spurs, because the 127th annual West of the Pecos Rodeo is back and bringing a week's worth of events.

The rodeo, which claims to be the world's first and biggest outdoor rodeo in Texas, is expected to bring around 11,000 to 13,000 people from West Texas and Southeast New Mexico, Joseph Keese said. Keese is president of the Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce and the West of the Pecos Rodeo committee.

"We usually have all the hotels booked and all the restaurants full," Pecos city manager Joseph Torres said. "It's a fun place to see a rodeo."

"I call it a real rodeo," Keese said. "We're outdoors; it's a great arena. We have a great show that will be entertainment for a lot of people."

But the rodeo isn't the only thing that will keep visitors and locals entertained. The City of Pecos has a whole week of events planned around the rodeo - from the Little Miss Cantaloupe Pageant, which kicked off Rodeo Week on Friday, to the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The hall of fame will induct six people in the ceremony, all having participated in Pecos rodeo.

"Rodeo is our heritage, so it seemed like a natural thing (to do)," said Debbie Thomas, director of the West of the Pecos Museum.

The West of the Pecos Museum has also scheduled its 45th annual Old Timer's Reunion, where people who've spent 50 years or more in the county can meet and listen to the sounds of the band Texas Country. Thomas said the museum's expecting around 200 people to show up to the Wednesday morning event.

"It's popular because it's the first day of the rodeo. It's kind of like a homecoming," she said. "It's a time for people to see other people they haven't seen (in a while), visit friends they've rodeo'd with."

The final night of rodeo week will feature Tejano acts Elida Y Avante and Michael Salgado performing after the rodeo.

"We always have a good turnout for them. I know Michael Salgado's very popular," Keese said. "It will bring a large crowd."

IF YOU GO

>> When: Rodeo Week begins Monday; West of the Pecos Rodeo performances begin Wednesday and continues through June 27.  All rodeo performances begin at 8 p.m.

>> Tickets can be purchased by going to Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce, 111 S. Cedar St., Pecos; or by calling 1-800-588-2855; or by going to www.pecosrodeo.com by credit card only.

>> For information, call 1-432-445-4181 or toll free at 1-800-588-2855.

RODEO WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday

>> 7:30 a.m.: Steer roping slack first and second go.

>> 5:30 p.m.: Steer roping slack third go.

Tuesday

>> 5:30 p.m.: Barrels and steer wrestling slack.

Wednesday

>> 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.: 45th Annual Old Timer's Reunion at West of the Pecos Museum.

>> 10 a.m.: West of the Pecos Rodeo Parade.

>> 12 p.m.: Reeves County Sheriff's Posse barbecue.

>> 8 p.m.: West of the Pecos Rodeo.

>> Local events: Wild cow milking and boots scramble (during rodeo).

>> After the rodeo: Reeves County Sheriff's Posse dance with "Red River Drifters" performing.

Thursday

>> 7:30 a.m.: Calf rope slack.

>> 8 p.m.: West of the Pecos Rodeo (Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night).

>> Local events: Hide race and boots scramble (during rodeo).

>> After the rodeo: Reeves County Sheriff's Posse dance with "Red River Drifters" performing.

Friday

>> 7:30 a.m.: Team rope slack.

>> 11 a.m.: Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame induction ceremony/barbecue fundraiser at the Train Depot across from the West of the Pecos Museum.

>> 8 p.m.: West of the Pecos Rodeo.

>> Local events: Wild mare race and calf scramble (during rodeo).

>> After the rodeo: Reeves County Sheriff's Posse dance with "Texas Rain" performing.

June 27

>> 8 a.m.: Classic team roping books open.

>> 9 a.m.: Classic team roping begins (continues all day).

>> 8 p.m.: West of the Pecos Rodeo Final Night.

>> Local event: Finals for the top two in each local event (during rodeo).

>> After the rodeo: Reeves County Sheriff's Posse dance with "Texas Rain" performing; West of the Texas Rodeo dance with "Elida Y Avante" and "Michael Salgado" performing. Tickets $20 in advance and $25 at the door.