OTHELLO — The Othello Rodeo Association will start its 2009 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo tonight at the Adams County Fairgrounds.

The two-day event will debut tonight at 8 p.m. and wrap up Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the rodeo arena.

Cowboys from across the country will congregate in Othello to compete in the PRCA sanctioned event.

Rodeo announcer Steve Kenyon will entertain the crowd from the announcer’s booth and Flying 5 will provide the stock for this weekend’s rodeo.

According to the Othello Rodeo Association Web site, the Othello Rodeo has been around since 1948 and will celebrate its 61st annual event.

Bullfighters Rowdy Barry and Danny Newman will be on hand to protect the bull riders and specialty act John Payne will make an appearance.

Payne, known as the One Arm Bandit, was nominated for PRCA specialty act of the year in 1988.

Although Payne didn’t bring home the title in 1988, Payne won the award in 1989. He followed his 1989 specialty act of the year with award winning performances in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and again in 2008.

Tickets for this weekend’s rodeo are available at Time Out Pizza, Ace Hardware, Del’s Feed & Farm Supply, and Kix Stand Espresso. Tickets are also available at the rodeo box office at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Admission to the weekend event is $13 per night.

Schlehuber takes derby title

OTHELLO — When the dirt and smoke settled at the Adams County Fairgrounds rodeo arena Wednesday night, Joe Schlehuber was the winner of the 2009 Othello Rodeo Association Demolition Derby.

More than 45 participants showed up to compete Wednesday night with only six entering the last car standing event.

Othello Rodeo Association Board Member Donnie Bagwell said he was excited to see six participants enter the event.

“We only had three cars in our Fourth of July derby,” he said.

Tory Solders took second in the event while Del Walle finished third.

The action at the 2009 Adams County Fair continues tonight with the Othello Rodeo Association’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo at 8 p.m.