Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo will return to Boardwalk Hall

After a successful debut in 2011, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo will return to Boardwalk Hall for three more fun-filled days of cowboy competition. On Friday, March 30, Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1, in more than 2 ½ hours of non-stop rodeo action, fans will witness all the events of the rodeo scene. Show time for Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m.; show time on Sunday is 1:00 p.m.

The introduction of rodeo to Atlantic City was deemed a success by not only local residents and resort visitors but by the media and event promoters, as well. The event was a direct result of the Honorable Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford's Strategic Planning Committee. This year’s edition is being presented by the Atlantic City Alliance. Atlantic City’s casinos including the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, Caesars Entertainment, Resorts Casino Hotel, Revel Entertainment, Tropicana Casino & Resort and Trump Entertainment are partners in promoting the event. Other sponsors and supporters include the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Tanger Outlets The Walk, the City of Atlantic City, Dodge Trucks, Caterpillar, and more to be announced.

“The Atlantic City Alliance is delighted to support the Rodeo in its second year at Atlantic City,” said Atlantic City Alliance President and CEO Liza Cartmell.  “This is just one example that demonstrates the great diversity of offerings that Atlantic City provides to a broad array of visitors and residents. We are proud to be their partner and look forward to another outstanding performance.”

Exciting events and activities will be taking place around Atlantic City to support the return of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo. The PRCA will be hosting a Championship Rodeo Camp for children ages 8 and older on Saturday, March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Camp curriculum includes an introduction to Roughstock events such as safety and fundamentals, livestock safety, injury prevention, tips from pros, chute procedures, riding equipment overview, goal setting, and introduction to PRCA. Limited spots are available. To register for the Camp, visit www.prorodeo.com/youthrodeo.aspx. For questions and additional information, e-mail jjutten@prorodeo.comor call (719) 304-1471.

To entice customers and to celebrate this All-American event, the Atlantic City casinos will once again be engaging in marketing efforts at individual properties through various activities such as offering themed entertainment or food and beverage specials, and sharing event information with their employees and guests. Media partners will also soon be announcing their own associated promotions including the “Boardwalk Rodeo Line Dance” on Friday, March 30 at high noon.

In addition to the off-site events mentioned above, Rodeo ticket holders will also receive a special incentive. Courtesy of Berman Travel and Spirit Airlines, event-goers will have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive sweepstakes consisting of two roundtrip tickets for a four day, four night stay in Cancun, Mexico.  Rodeo fans can enter to win this trip by visiting the Berman Travel booth at Boardwalk Hall during each of the event days.

Before you know it, 1,250 tons of dirt will be piling into Boardwalk Hall in preparation for this year’s Rodeo. This special dirt mixture called footing is made up of two parts sand and one part clay and is specifically indigenous to our region. It provides the perfect balance of flexibility and firmness for the animals during the Rodeo. The arrival of this dirt mixture signifies the start of the second annual Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo.

The PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) sanctioned event, presented by Barnes PRCA Rodeo Company, will bring the biggest rodeo on the East Coast to Atlantic City. More than $90,000 in prize money will be up for grabs, making this a sought-after competition for cowboys and cowgirls from across the country. These cowboys and cowgirls will be put to the test as they make their way through seven challenging PRCA show events including:

• Bareback Riding- Cowboys must ride a bucking horse for eight seconds, holding onto nothing but a single handhold rigging cinch
• Tie-Down Roping- A timed race which calls for a mounted cowboy to chase a calf down the arena and rope and tie the calf
• Saddle Bronc Riding- A test to see if a cowboy can stay in the saddle of a wild, unbroken horse for eight seconds
• Team Roping- Two riders must ride out and rope a steer in the fastest time.
• Barrel Racing- A cowgirl and her horse must complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels within the quickest timeframe.
• Steer Wrestling- After dropping from their horse, the rider must wrestle a steer to the ground by the horns in an effort to stop the clock.
• Bull Riding- A cowboy must ride a bull for eight seconds while holding onto only a rope which is connected to the bull

“I am very excited that we will be bringing The Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo back for a second year”, said Event Chairperson Janet Markowitz. “Last year’s event received such a positive response and an amazing crowd turnout, it completely surpassed my expectations. Many of last year’s first time Rodeo attendees have now become hooked on the sport and have promised to come back again this year. I am looking forward to making this event even bigger and better than 2011’s.”

Great tickets are still available and are priced at $16, $31, $51 and $102. Family four-packs are also on sale for $79 and include four tickets; four hot dogs and four soft drinks (must be purchased in advance). There is a $5 discount on $31 and $51 seats for groups of 10 or more. Two complimentary tickets are available for each block of 40 tickets sold. Tickets can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations by calling 800-736-1420 or at ticketmaster.com. For Group Sales call 609-348-7023. For more information about the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo, visit http://acboardwalkrodeo.com. For more information about PRCA, visit www.prorodeo.com. For more information about the Atlantic City Alliance, visit http://atlanticcityalliance.net.