Features Editor

Little girls may dream of being Miss America and little boys of being the next Mark McGwire but, in their hearts, all kids are cowgirls and cowboys.

The lure of the Old West is strong and next to saddling a horse for a ride, the the best thing is going to a rodeo.

When the rodeo comes Memorial Day weekend, it brings the Old West to Pike County and the Pike County Cattlewomen offer youngsters the chance to be a part of the excitement by being in the annual Pike County Rodeo Pageant.

This year more than 50 cowboys and cowgirls will compete for Miss Rodeo and Wrangler titles at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Pike Liberal Arts School gymnasium.

Betty Hixon, president of the Pike County Cattlewomen said girls ages, 3 through 15, will compete for Miss Rodeo titles in five age divisions and boys, ages 3 through 9, will compete for Wrangler titles in three age divisions.

"Each year, there is more interest in the Rodeo Pageant because it’s a lot of fun and it involves our young people in all of the excitement surrounding the rodeo," Hixon said. "The contestants wear informal western wear and they are judged on stage presence and personality. The winners in each division will be presented at the rodeo Memorial Day weekend and they will also be representatives of the Cattlewomen throughout the year in parades and other activities."

Hixon said the Rodeo Pageant is one of the events that builds up to rodeo weekend.

"It is unbelievable how much the rodeo has grown," she said. "It is a big event for Pike County and it is a family event. People of all ages love the rodeo. We want the children to be involved. That’s why we have the Rodeo Pageant – to involve the children and just for the fun of it."

Hixon said everyone is encouraged to support these youngsters as they vie for rodeo titles.

"We would like to see the gym packed in support of these young people as they support the rodeo in Pike County by their participation."

Admission at the door is $3 for adults and $2 for children, ages 5 through 12. Children under 5 will be admitted free.