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The 150th Silver Spurs Rodeo played to sold out audiences in February 2023. An extra night and tiered seating prices have been added for this year, the 80th anniversary of rodeo in Osceola County. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS -
The 150th Silver Spurs Rodeo played to sold out audiences in February 2023. An extra night and tiered seating prices have been added for this year, the 80th anniversary of rodeo in Osceola County.
Last year at this time, the Silver Spurs Rodeo celebrated its 150th landmark edition with three days of sold out ropin’ and ridin’ action.
This month, Rodeo Big Boss Sara Berlinsky—just the third Lady Boss in this history that goes back to the 1940s—presides over another landmark: the 80th anniversary of an event as deep rooted in the Osceola County community as the action in the ring.
The first event was held on July 4, 1944, and soon after the Silver Spurs became known as the “Biggest rodeo east of the Mississippi River.”
And, it has to do with a community that supports, embraces and emphasizes why the Silver Spurs Riding Club’s name is on the arena.
“It is so successful because of the community,” Berlinsky said. “The families who have been here generations, it’s a part of who they are. Every year in February, we’re putting on a rodeo for all the fans, and we have so many great fans.
“We’ve been doing it for such a long time that it’s a machine that nearly runs itself. And it only happens because of the amazing community support.”
And, while the community supports the rodeo, the rodeo supports the community right back with charitable donations. This year, the rodeo will benefit the Harmony High School Future Farmers of America chapter, The Lifeboat Project and The Russell Home for Children.
The rodeo theme for this anniversary year is “Tradition Rides On,” and annual winter “Rodeo season” in Osceola County starts next week with the traditional, iconic Silver Spurs Rodeo Parade through downtown St. Cloud on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. along Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Avenue between Lakeshore and 12th Street. This year’s “Black and White” theme will take attendees back in time.
Later that day the action goes from the streets to the dirt, as Monster Bulls, a matchup of the best professional bull riders and the Silver Spurs club’s meaning stock, at 7:30 p.m.
The following week, it’s time for the 152nd Silver Spurs Rodeo. This year, in honor of the 80th anniversary, a Thursday “Family Night” performance on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. will be held, with a lower ticket price and free admission for Osceola County school students.
“We figured we have the demand for it, and the kids are off of school that Friday for Rodeo Day, so it kind of fell into place,” Berlinsky said.
That’s followed by the usual Friday and Saturday night (Feb. 16-17) rodeos and the Sunday afternoon (Feb. 18, 2 p.m.) grand finale, all in the shadow of the Osceola County Fair, which is also celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2024.
Tickets for all performances except for Thursday night Feb. 15 are now assigned seating. Pricing for those days runs from $15-35 dollars depending on age and seating areas; get all seating information, buy tickets and read about some of the Spurs’ 80 years worth of history at www.silverspursrodeo.com/80years.
As a reminder, the Friday through Sunday rodeos sold out in 2023.
Next week: more on the Osceola County Fair’s 80th anniversary.
