Labor Day Weekend may mark the end of summer for some, but for residents of Calhoun, Missouri, in rural Henry County, it’s the second weekend in September that is the big finale of the season.
And this year, the weather forecast looks cooler than past years for the Calhoun Colt Show, which the town has been hosting for 115 years.
The Calhoun Colt Show is a three-day community celebration, one of the oldest west of the Mississippi River, that takes place this year on Sept. 6, 7 and 8. It started as a way for local horse breeders to show off their young stock, and has expanded to include two parades, a car show, a dog show, a royalty contest to choose a queen and her court, a baby contest, and competitions in flower arranging, fancy work, and produce.
There’s live music on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8 p.m., featuring Hillbilly Hoedown on Friday night and Full Moon Band on Saturday. Hillbilly Hoedown is also scheduled to play Saturday at 1 p.m. Clint’s Bar and Grill, Southland Tow and Parks Cabinets are sponsoring the bands’ appearances.
Rounding out the events held on the Calhoun Square on Hwy. 52 E through town are a petting zoo, a corn hole tournament and a Mr. Legs contest Saturday afternoon, plus a baked goods auction at 5:30 p.m. A worship service with gospel music is Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by Kid’s Day on the Square.
The heart of the Colt Show, however, takes place 4 blocks north of Hwy. 52 on North Depot Street at the Lonnie Price Memorial Arena. Depot Street is the first turn on the left as you enter Calhoun on the west side of town.
Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. is the Broke and Busted Saddle Club Follies at the arena. The Follies features teams of riders competing in an Extreme Obstacle Course, a Sled Race, Musical Horses and the Dolly Parton Race.
On Saturday night at 7 pm., go out to the arena to watch a new event, Round Robin Team Roping, being organized by Dakota Brice and his father, Chad Brice.
In Round Robin roping, every header ropes with every heeler, Dakota said, then when everybody had roped with everybody else, the points are added up for each contestant.
Steer roping is a very fast sport, Dakota said, with the average time in this class of 7 to 10 seconds from the time the steer bursts out the the chute, chased by the header and heeler riding out of the roping boxes on either side of the chute chasing him, lassos flying. But it’s not a timed event, Dakota said.
“It’s more of a points event,” he said. “The header has to touch two horns, and the heeler has to catch two feet.”
“It’s about how clean you do it.”
Steers can weigh from 400 to 650 pounds, he said. Women compete in steer roping, he said, and there is no age limit, as long as the person has the necessary skills — Dakota has seen ropers as young as 9 compete, he said, although the youngest around Calhoun is 14.
Dakota said he goes out and ropes every other weekend with a guy who is in his 70s.
“Old-school cowboys still go out in the pasture and catch steers,” he said.
The Colt Show Equestrian Day is on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the arena. The day is a combination of riding and showing horses, from colts (young male horses), foals and yearlings to adult horses, four years and older. Riders compete in different divisions and traditional contests of skill in age categories, starting at age 7 and going up the “Jack Benny” Division, riders 40 and older.
There is no charge to watch the team roping, the BBSC Follies on Saturday, or Equestrian Day events Sunday. The Broke and Busted Saddle Club of Calhoun organizes horse show events throughout the year, as well as trail rides and fundraisers. Bring a lawn chair to the arena.
Farm and orchard produce, fancy work and flower show entries will be accepted on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m, and also Friday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Colt Show food booths and the beer tent open on the Calhoun Square at 5 p.m. Friday, and the bouncy castle/inflatables will be set up.
The Calhoun Colt Show Queen and Royalty competition is at 6 p.m. Friday, with flowers provided by Clinton Flower Shop. The presentation of the Class of 1974, which is celebrating its 50th reunion, is at 7 p.m.
At 8 p.m Hillbilly Hoedown takes the stage, sponsored by Parks Cabinets and Southland Tow.
Events on Saturday, Sept. 7, start at 10 a.m with the dog show. At 11 a.m. is the Children’s Pet Parade. Register a half-hour before events.
Line-up for the Grand Parade begins at 11:45 a.m., with the parade starting at 12:15 p.m. Register your vehicle for the Car and Bike Show at 1 p.m., with judging at 2:30 p.m. and awards at 3 p.m. Hillbilly Hoedown plays again at 1 p.m, sponsored by Clint’s Bar & Grill.
Oliver’s Petting Zoo opens at 1:30 p.m., and the Corn Hole Tournament starts at 2 p.m. A baked goods auction starts at 5 p.m. Saturday evening, the Baby Show is at 6:30 p.m.., with registration at 5:30 p.m., and the Mr. Legs contest at 7 p.m.
The Full Moon Band, sponsored by Clint’s Bar & Grill, will play Saturday night starting at 8 p.m.
On Sunday Sept. 8, there will be a worship service with gospel music on the Calhoun Square at 10 a.m. Equestrian Day events start at 10 a.m. at the arena. Kid’s Day on the Square starts at 1 p.m. with games.
For more information, go to www.coltshow.com.
