There’s a possibility that the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce could get into the rodeo business.
Last week the leadership of the Eufaula Roundup Club notified City Manager Jeb Jones that the club was disbanding.
For the past seven years the latest version of the club hosted the annual rodeo held during Whole Hawg Days every July. Prior to that, a different version of the roundup club hosted rodeos for more than 30 years.
The disbandment of the club left the fate of the rodeo in limbo.
“We don’t want to lose the rodeo,” Jones said. “It brings a lot of people to town, just like the fishing tournaments.”
Jones thought it would be a natural for the Chamber of Commerce to take over the rodeo and he took the idea to Commerce Executive Director Serina Kleveter.
Kleveter said she liked the idea and submitted it to Chamber President Jay Hunn.
Hunn and Kleveter will take the proposal to the meeting of the Board of Directors in January.
The Directors will have the final say-so.
“They will decide if they want to take it over,” Jones said.
Jones has contacts with the American Cowboy Rodeo Association, which stages rodeos across the state.
“I’ve known this guy for years. He’s involved in promoting rodeos. I called him and he said he was interested so I put him in touch with Serina,” he said.
Jones is enthusiastic about the idea.
“I told Serina we will be behind you 100 percent. We will help in whatever way we can,” he said.