Second annual gay rodeo held in Philadelphia
The second annual gay rodeo, ‘Stampede’, is being held by the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association in Philadelphia from July 31st – August 2nd.
The weekend is kicking off with the Independence Ball, being held at Philadelphia’s Loews Hotel, the official host of the event, on Friday, July 31st.
Over the weekend, the rodeo will be taking place at the LuLu Shriners Rodeo Grounds in Plymouth, just north of Philadelphia, and will include traditional events such as bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing.
The event will also include dancing and some “camp” events such as goat dressing and a wild drag race.
Speaking to the Philadelphia Gay News, Stampede director Jim Gallucci said: “It’s a real rodeo arena.”
He added that the organisation and its events are “a lot of friendly, fun competition” with a “real sense of community”.
The event will close with a second ball, including performances from country singer James Allen Clark and an awards ceremony.
The Liberty Gay Rodeo Association was set up to try to “educate the general public on issues relating to animal health and welfare, rodeo participation and competition, sportsmanship, communication and fellowship” and to try to create a sense of LGBT community.
Last year it became the first organisation in the north-eastern United States to host an LGBT rodeo, when Stampede began in Washington DC.
