Rough E Rodeo presents electrifying family entertainment

The Holmes County Fair will kick off its first night of grandstand entertainment in a high-flying way as it welcomes a new addition to the Holmes County Fair family, and family is something that caught the fair board’s collective eye in bringing in Rough E Rodeo.

Rough E Rodeo is the ultimate family rodeo experience where top contestants from across the country showcase their skills in rodeo events that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

While providing all the spills, chills and thrills of the rodeo, Rough E Rodeo also is committed to providing affordable, clean and family-friendly entertainment for all ages.

The cowboy way of life has been part of the lives of owners and operators Luke and Lindsey Elton for many years. Luke was a longtime bullfighter for nearly three decades, but as he grew older, he wanted a little less physically demanding job, and thus he and Lindsey created Rough E Rodeo.

From rural events like the Holmes County Fair to massive entertainment venues like the Ohio State Fair, Rough E Rodeo is a proven night of excitement and entertainment that promises to provide fun for the whole family.

Between the bulls, barrels and broncs, the stage is set to create every cowboy and cowgirl’s rodeo dream.

Rough E Rodeo offers the essence of the sport people have grown to love and cherish over the years. There is something nostalgic about the cowboy way, and Rough E Rodeo embraces that way of life and doles out an evening of excitement and competition for both the competitors and the fans.

While the competition is fierce with every ride offering some level of danger, the Eltons have worked hard to make their show family-friendly. Lindsey Elton said with four children of their own age 17, 11, 9 and 7, they recognized the importance of creating an environment that is healthy for everyone to enjoy.

“We really wanted our kids to get involved, and we felt it was important to offer a venue that is conducive to all ages,” Lindsey Elton said. “Over the years we felt like the rodeo has lost that sense of family. We’ve gotten away from it, and we wanted to bring that back.”

Rough E Rodeo’s primary focus is on bulls and barrels, although they do offer bronc riding and each fair board has the option to add their own flavor to the show, with highlights like mutton busting for the kids, junior bulls and trick ropers.

Holmes County has chosen a different specialty — that being the presentation of the Fan of the Night Buckle, an honor that will be presented by none other than Holmes County’s own rodeo clown Craig Miller.

“It’s something that is fun and encourages a lot of crowd participation. We love the idea of having fans feel like they are part of the show,” Lindsey Elton said. “We were really excited to team up with Craig and bring him back to his hometown. He definitely fits right into our family-oriented theme.”

With their own four children helping with the production, the Eltons enjoy creating an environment where other children can join in the fun and have a blast being around a family-oriented rodeo.

Lindsey Elton said part of the allure of the rodeo is returning to the country feel, something big-city people don’t often get to experience.

She said offering a taste of the cowboy way of life is always fascinating for those who aren’t around it much. Although she did say with Holmes County being a rural, agricultural area, they figure many people in Holmes County are well-versed to much of what that lifestyle entails.

She said once people get involved with their rodeo, everyone becomes part of their family.

The Rough E Rodeo event will take place Monday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. in the grandstand arena at Harvest Ridge.