ST. GEORGE — Crowds of people lined Tabernacle Street Saturday morning to watch the parade for the 83rd annual St. George Lions Club Dixie Roundup Rodeo.
Parade announcer Shelli Breinholt of the St. George Lady Lions Auxiliary said this year’s event had a total of 88 entries, including floats, classic cars, marching bands from local schools, dance teams, local elected officials and candidates, commercial sponsors and various rodeo royalty members on horseback.
Throughout the parade, children ran out and picked up candy thrown their way, collecting it in plastic grocery sacks.
“It’s almost like Halloween,” commented one mother.
Saturday night is the rodeo’s third and final night, with a standing-room-only crowd expected. Gates open at 6 p.m., with the opening ceremonies scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Dixie Sunbowl.
Event details
What: St. George Lions 83rd annual Dixie Roundup Rodeo.
When: Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 14-16. Gates open at 6 p.m., with entertainment from 6 p.m. until the opening ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The rodeo usually lasts until after 10 p.m., with the last event being bull riding.
Where: Historic Dixie Sunbowl, 150 South 400 East, St. George.
Details: General admission tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 11 and under. Children ages 2 and under who can be held on a parent’s lap are free. Reserved seats are $15 each.
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In this 2017 file photo, St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade grand marshal Wally Mathis waves from atop a Wells Fargo stagecoach during the parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Members of the Snow Canyon High School marching band prepare to play during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Royalty members from Iron County ride horses during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Children line the sides of Tabernacle Street awaiting candy to be thrown during the Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Parade announcers Shelli Breinholt and Sara Truman read aloud descriptions of the parade's 88 entries as they passed by, during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
A local dance team participates in the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
A woman with local radio station KONY throws out candy during the Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Participants ride a float during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Several people dressed as clowns throw candy to parade watchers during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Members of the Desert Hills High School marching band play during in the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
This 1966 Corvette was one of several classic cars appearing in the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Participants throw candy from a vintage truck during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Members of the Dixie State University wrestling team ride their team's float during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Local royalty members wave from a fire engine during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Santa Clara City royalty members wave from float during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Youngsters waving pompoms ride a float during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Local royalty members wave from float during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Youngsters dressed as "Toy Story" characters ride a float during the St. George Lions Dixie Roundup Rodeo Parade in St. George, Utah Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have two young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.