Community Corner

Eureka's Backdraft Rodeo To Ride No Longer

The Eureka Fire Protection District cited "logistical issues" as the reason for discontinuing the long-running event.

The Eureka Fire Protection District announced Thursday that after a 20-year run, the annual Backdraft Rodeo charity and fundraising event will be no more. 

The 21st incarnation of the rodeo had originally been scheduled for this October, but Deputy Chief Randy Gabel said the event has struggled with "logistical issues" over the last several years. 

"The bleachers we used in the past are no longer available or become too costly," Gabel told Patch, citing it as the primary reason. "Other small issues also have impacted our rodeo such as vendors and people to help put it on."

At this point, continuing on would be a "step backward," in the minds of the fire protection district, Gabel said.

The fully sanctioned rodeo featured riders from Missouri and surrounding states with two nights of events, including bucking horses, roping events, steer wrestling and bull riding.

The district used the event to raise money for a variety of local causes, including toys for children in hospitals, funding for scholarships, donations to food banks and other projects.  

Gabel said he believed the rodeo had provided a weekend of great family entertainment and that to continue it with the present issues would be an "injustice" to the fans, sponsors and firefighters who supported it year after year.

"If it were not for those sponsors and fans the rodeo would not have been the success it was," he said. 


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