MOSES LAKE — There was a whole lot going on at the Grant County Fairgrounds rodeo gate Tuesday, when the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Business After Hours combined with the kickoff of the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo.

“It brings out some people who only go to one or two (chamber events) a year,” said Chamber Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “The rodeo extends an invitation to all its major sponsors.”

Doran-Martinez estimated that about 250 people came out to enjoy the warm sun, cold drinks and good food. Dinner was catered by Top Gun Concessions, and consisted of barbecued ribs with beans, salads and sides. 

The rodeo board’s bright red shirts mingled with the purple worn by the team from New Hope, as the event also kicks off the Man Up Crusade, which raises awareness – and cash – for domestic violence services. The cash part came through a silent auction, and the first round of raffle ticket sales. Those tickets will continue to be sold at the Cowboy Breakfast on Friday and also at the rodeo itself, with the drawing taking place the last night of the rodeo.

Between the auction and the initial raffle sales, the Man Up Crusade raised $3,482, according to New Hope Director Kim Pope.

“It’s better than what they’ve done in the past,” Pope said. “It’s not quite halfway to what the final amount was last year.”

Last year’s crusade raised about $8,000 in total, Pope said. 

“It’s a great program and we’re happy to be part of it and happy that the rodeo association is as well,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete. “They’ve jumped in with both feet on this thing.”

“Raising awareness” is more than just a buzzword in this case, Kriete said; programs like the Man Up Crusade have tangible results.

“The more we can get the information out there, the better,” he said. “We get educated about what (domestic violence) looks like and how to not only identify it but provide services to prevent it. When you start tying in organizations with a common goal, I don’t think losing is an option, quite frankly. There’s strength in numbers.”

During the kickoff, Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Board Vice President Aaron Schrodt presented President Alex Alvarado with a belt buckle. It was presented a little early, Schrodt said, so Alvarado would have it in time for the National Finals Rodeo in December.

“He’s been doing an amazing job for the association for the past two years,” Schrodt said.

The Rodeo Association also held a drawing for the Miner Services Demo Derby raffle. Schrodt held the hat while Windermere Real Estate Broker Brandon Douglass, the raffle sponsor, drew the winning name. The winner was Seth Carlile of Moses Lake.

The prize was an item on many people’s bucket list: the chance to drive a car in the demo derby. Organizers supply the car, which has been specially prepped for the demo derby. This year’s vehicle was a 1974 Camaro with a 327-cubic-inch engine and all the safety features built in, Schrodt said.

“People can literally just come out, jump in it, race it and then walk away from it,” Schrodt said. “If the motor blows up, you don’t have to worry about it. If you don’t have time to build a demo car, we have a car for you.”

    Attendees at the rodeo kickoff Tuesday buy raffle tickets to support the Man Up Crusade, which raises funds for New Hope domestic violence services. Between the silent auction and the raffle, the crusade raised more than $3,000 in one evening.
  

    Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Vice President Aaron Schrodt (right) presents President Alex Alvarado with a belt buckle.
  

    Brandon Douglass draws the name of the winner of the Miner Services Demo Derby raffle, which lets the winner drive the car behind him in the demo derby next week. From left: Rodeo Association Vice President Aaron Schrodt, Douglass, Miss Moses Lake Roundup Kaylee Stump and President Alex Alvarado.
  

    Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo members pose for a photo at the kickoff event Tuesday.