Pioneer Days kicks off Monday

Wilma Fulgham is a big fan of all things Clovis, including Pioneer Days, which will be held this week.

The Miss Rodeo America Hall of Famer said a myriad of activities will be on tap to appeal to a wide range of tastes.

“I always look forward to Pioneer Days,” she said. “There’s so much to see and do and there’s fun for everybody, no matter what someone may fancy. We actually start Rodeo Week on Monday, which includes Little Buckaroo Rodeo and is for contestants age 12 and under. And we’ll also be graced with the presence of Miss Rodeo America, Katherine Merck, who will arrive Monday and be here for the entire week.”

Fulgham said other highlights during the week include a horsemanship competition for the state pageant on Wednesday and a Kiwanis breakfast for pageant contestants on Thursday — which also triggers the start of the PRCA Rodeo.

“The rodeo will begin each evening at 7:30 p.m. and that first night’s session will be Military Appreciation Night,” Fulgham said. “Airmen from the Special Operations Unit at Cannon Air Force Base are slated to participate in the rodeo’s opening ceremony. The competition is going to be fierce and certain to provide a lot of chills and thrills.”

Fulgham said the 15th annual Pioneer Women’s Breakfast on Friday morning will transition into a visit by the rodeo queens and at least one bullfighter to Clovis area nursing facilities and retirement communities. The 46th annual Pioneer Days parade begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at 14th and Main Street.

Pioneer Days Schedule

Monday

Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen Pageant

10 a.m. — Horsemanship — Curry County Fairgrounds

2 p.m — Personality — Curry County Fairgrounds

5 p.m. —41st Annual Little Buckaroo Rodeo — Curry County Fairgrounds, Mutton Bustin’ entries deadline

Tuesday

6 p.m. — Curry County Mounted Patrol Team Roping — Curry County Events Center

Wednesday

8 a.m. — MRNM Horsemanship Competition — Curry County Events Center

2 p.m. — Reception for Llano Estacado Quilt Guild display — Wheatfield Senior Living Center Exhibit open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 4.

Thursday

46th Annual PRCA Rodeo — Curry County Events Center, 7:30 p.m.

Military Appreciation Night — $3 off tickets with an active military identification

Friday

7 a.m. — 15th annual Pioneer Women’s Breakfast — Clovis Civic Center (Vintage fashions from the last century encouraged)

8 a.m. — Steer roping slack — Curry County Events Center

9:30 a.m. — Rodeo Queens and Bullfighter / Clowns annual tour of area nursing homes (Wheatfields Senior Living Center and Plains Regional Medical Center)

1 p.m. — Miss Rodeo New Mexico Fashion Show, Speech and Coronation, Clovis Community College Town Hall, $10 admission

7:10 p.m. — Miss Rodeo New Mexico Pageant announcement of Royalty 2016 — Curry County Events Center

7:30 p.m. — 46th annual PRCA Rodeo — Curry County Events Center

Saturday

10 a.m. — 46th annual Pioneer Parade — Main Street Parade theme: “Party Til the Cows Come Home”.

12:30 p.m. — Ninth annual Duke of Dutch Ovens Chuck Wagon cook-off — Curry County Fairgrounds

7:30 p.m. — 46th annual PRCA Rodeo and local team roping bonus round — Curry County Events Center