Saddle up and head for the first rodeo of the spring season, the 72nd Annual La Grange Rodeo is on the schedule for Sunday, April 7. It’s a full day, with roping and riding events starting at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. Get there before noon to see the Rodeo Queen crowning ceremony. Best be in your seats before 1 p.m. when the Grand Entry begins at the La Grange Rodeo Arena, overlooking the Tuolumne River canyon, east of town on Highway 132. Sorry, no dogs allowed.

You’ll see bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, team roping and calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and of course the rodeo clowns. And don't forget the famous goat scramble for kids eight and under. Catch the goat and you keep it.

There will also be plenty of food and refreshments to sample, and lots of Cowboy and Cowgirl gear to help you put on the style.

Tickets for the La Grange Rodeo are $15 at the gate, $10 for kids 6-12, those 5 and under are free. Pre-sale tickets are available at a discount from a member of the La Grange Rodeo Association, one of the Queen candidates, or selected local area businesses. Check on the web, “LaGrangeRodeoAssociation.com” to see exciting live action photos from past events, and bios for the Rodeo Queen candidates. For information text-message to (209) 409-2725.

The earliest rodeo of the season, the La Grange Rodeo is also one of the oldest. In 1948 local ranchers organized the first one as part of the Centennial celebration for La Grange, Gold Rush town turned cow town.

The rodeo arena address is 30433 Yosemite Blvd., La Grange.