Event will bring excitement, support IT’S known for
When a city or community event is canceled, the ripple effect can be felt beyond just the people organizing the event or those planning to attend. Sponsors, partners, and beneficiaries can feel the pinch, too. Multiple groups depend on an event to give them a boost during the year.
Many staple Gallup events had to be canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One such event was WildThing Championship Bullriding, usually held in July at Red Rock Park.
But with the COVID numbers improving with the rollouts of vaccines, several events have been given the green light by the Gallup City Council, provided they follow state safety guidelines.
WildThing organizer Larry Peterson said the event, dubbed “Number One Open Bullriding in the Southwest,” is set to return July 9-10.
“We want to wake the wild things up because we didn’t get to have it last year,” Peterson said May 18. “We want to let everyone around the country know we’re back and it’s happening.”
In addition to featuring the number one open bullriding event in the region, WildThing brings with it an electric atmosphere that includes activities for all guests and a big fireworks show each night.
Guests have been told to “expect the unexpected.” That remains the case this year.
As the promotion for WildThing ramps up, Peterson said they want the community to know about the difficulties caused by last year’s cancellation.
“There are many things that WildThing is involved in that are so great for the community that some people don’t know about,” he said.
WildThing has consistently been the largest fundraiser of the year for Manuelito Children’s Home and has helped Four Corners Pet Alliance by donating large boxes of toys for dogs.
If the COVID numbers continue to look good, Peterson said restrictions could be lifted by July in time for the event. Currently, McKinley County is in the Turquoise Level, which means it is “low risk.”
“The governor said once we get 60 percent of the state vaccinated, everything could be wide open 100 percent,” Peterson said. “At the rate the state is at, we could hit that number by June.”
Then if the restrictions are lifted, WildThing can go full-on and not have to restrict ticket sales or space, he added.
“A full event would be great for the community, great for Manuelito Children’s Home, and great for everyone after a two-year shutdown,” Peterson said. “WildThing is more than the show. It’s the fundraiser and has helped other areas around the city.
“It is dang sure a hell of a community event, and the only place in the world where it happens is right here at Red Rock Park,” he added.
Details about this year’s event are still being finalized, but Peterson said those details will be shared as the event gets closer.
Visit the WildThing Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wildthing.bullriding/ to stay up-to-date.
