Truckee Rodeo looking for help in bucking economy

TRUCKEE - Businesses, individuals, nonprofits or events - everybody is having a tough time in the current economy, and that includes the Truckee Rodeo.

Truckee Championship Pro Rodeo Organizers Don and Anita Jesser are trying to raise funds to keep the annual event afloat, but say they will be here and hosting this year's 37th annual rodeo July 23-25. But whether the event returns in 2011 is not certain.

"Last year we were in the hole quite a bit," Don Jesser said. "We're trying to get things back on track; pulling things together as a community-minded event. We rely on community support."

The event takes about $50,000 to put on, Don said, and as of this week, they're about $20,000 short - meaning the remainder is coming out of their pockets.

"Without ... sponsorship, this year's rodeo could be the end of an era," the Jessers wrote in an e-mail. "If every resident of Truckee would donate $5 to the effort it would be more than enough to keep rodeo alive."

Even the $10 for spectators to attend the rodeo, with enough in attendance, would help, said Don, who acknowledged it's hard for businesses to come up with sponsorship money - $400 for a banner sponsor, for example - in this economy.

Stefanie Olivieri, long-time local and owner of Cabona's downtown, said the rodeo is an important community event, but as a business owner she can see how it would be hard to raise funds.

"This is one of our classic events both locals and visitors look forward to," Olivieri said. "It would be an unfortunate loss, but it's very hard from the standpoint of a business to be able to step up as sponsors until things turn around."

Don said the rodeo has a longstanding history in the rodeo circuit, starting as a Coors Shootout Rodeo decades ago.

"The Truckee Rodeo is very near and dear to the hearts of many cowboys," Don said. "And when it comes to aesthetic value, what could be more beautiful for a place to hold a rodeo than the mountains in Truckee?"

This year's event starts with a kids day and sponsor appreciation today, then the full rodeo Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.