-
Chase Lancaster of Lancaster Rodeo Productions oversees the unloading and installation of a bull ring in a field behind the old Bemis Lumber Yard on Sept. 1. Lancaster is producing a rodeo – the first in Robbinsville in decades – to be held this weekend. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com
Snowbird – The first rodeo in Robbinsville in decades will be held Friday and Saturday, behind the old Bemis Lumber Yard (670 Snowbird Road).
Lost in the Mountains Bulls and Barrels Rodeo is the first rodeo produced by Lancaster Rodeo Productions, although Chase Lancaster – a Graham County resident behind the production company – has more than 15 years of experience in the rodeo business and has teamed up with other experienced rodeo producers.
Bull riding will be an important feature of the two-day event.
The rodeo will be held at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with $15 admission (cash only). Children 5 and under – and uniformed, public-safety personnel – will be admitted without charge. Seating is limited and spectators are advised to bring lawn chairs.
Lancaster has been planning the event for months, and has his eyes set on producing more rodeo events in Robbinsville, Stecoah, Santeetlah, Andrews and other locations.
Lancaster was overseeing the setup of the rodeo ring last week after securing nearly 20 local event sponsors, including Graham County Travel & Tourism.
The travel and tourism board voted to help sponsor the event during the board’s Sept. 1 meeting.
Other news and notes
* Two important dedication ceremonies are scheduled around Lake Santeetlah in late September.
A Lake Santeetlah hiking/biking trail and a Kids on Parks trail near the Civilian Conservation Corps historic site will be dedicated during back-to-back ceremonies on the south shore of Lake Santeetlah on Tuesday, Sept. 27 – a date set to accommodate the schedules of various officials. The hiking trail dedication will be at 10 a.m., with parking at the Carver Cemetery parking lot off N.C. Highway 143/Santeetlah Road. Following that dedication – and a lunch for invited guests – the CCC camp dedication will be on the 1000 block of Massey Branch Road, across from the Cheoah Ranger District Headquarters.
* The Stecoah Harvest Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center (121 School House Drive).
The event includes a quilt exhibit and contest, with cash prizes awarded to the top three finishers. County residents are also invited to bring vintage quilts for exhibit in honor of Graham County’s sesquicentennial celebration.