After a brief discussion about the National High School Finals Rodeo moving from their scheduled venue in Lincoln, Nebraska to either Gillette or Rock Springs, the National High School Rodeo Association announced on Friday June 5 that the event would be taking place in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
“The National High School Rodeo leadership has selected a new venue for the 2020 National High School Finals Rodeo. After much consideration and weighing multiple options, the NHSFR will call the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, home this year,” a release from the NHSRA stated.
The 2020 NHSFR is now scheduled for July 17-23 at the Lazy E Arena.
“The Lazy E Arena meets the NHSFR needs for arenas, camping and stalling,” the statement continued. “We also appreciate that the facility was one of the first to cautiously and safely host events as coronavirus mandates were lifted, so the facility’s staff has the knowledge and protocols in place to meet local, state and federal health mandates to protect our contestants, attendees, volunteers and staff.”
After county health officials in Lancaster County made it clear that Lincoln could not host the event, the NHSRA reached out to the Campbell County Commissioners in Gillette, Wyoming to gauge interest and ability to host the event. Gillette has hosted the event 11 times in the past.
According to the Rock Springs Rocket Miner, the Sweetwater County Events Complex had thrown their hat into the ring to host the 2020 event in Rock Springs as well. The facility has hosted the Finals the past two years. This interest was reported as recently as Thursday June 4.
“We appreciate the abundant amount of support from the venues that reached out to the National High School Rodeo Association to host the 2020 event,” said James Higginbotham, NHSRA executive director. “The representatives from each of the venues who reached out had one thing on their minds and that was to put on a safe rodeo for the kids.”
For further information regarding the 2020 NHSFR and its entities, follow online at nhsra.com/nhsfr.
