Mesquite Championship Rodeo kicks off this weekend in newly renovated Resistol Arena

by Erin Rice

This Friday and Saturday the Mesquite Championship Rodeo comes to the newly renovated Resistol Arena. At a preview event earlier this week, arena and rodeo series owners and cowboys revealed many of the renovations that have taken place in anticipation of the reopening.

Photo by Laura Evans

Changing hands from Hicks Sports Group to Camelot Sports and Entertainment, the owners are attempting to turn the rodeo into "more of a broadway stage." At the preview press conference, those involved promised "country music and rock and roll" and "pyrotechnics and lasers" as additions to the typical rodeo experience.

Photo by Laura Evans

One of the major improvements made to Resistol for the upcoming rodeo series is the addition of the new color jumbo video boards located on one end of the arena. Similar in use to the jumbotrons at other local sporting events, the video boards will provide close-up view of the action, instant replays, and interviews with the athletes.

Photo by Laura Evans

The suites have all been revamped and can seat 10, 20, 30 fans, with one suite spanning an entire end of the arena that seats up to 80 people. All the suites have plasma screens, all-inclusive food and beverage packages, event programs and VIP parking. Some are still under construction. For people who don't go to the rodeo to be a VIP and would prefer to watch from the stands, prices for tickets have been lowered to $6 for kids and $11 for adults. Parking and concession stand prices have also been cut.

Photo by Laura Evans

The "aww factor" came when they brought out the horses and their colts and fillies (or are they still called foals at this size?). As the mother horses came into the arena, their offspring stuck close by. The dirt, which one organizer in attendance explained the top foot had been relaid, seemed fairly clean until the horses came out...

Photo by Laura Evans

Those in attendance got to preview some of the bull riding action that will take place on Friday night. Bull rider Josh Cole warmed up and stretched for quite awhile before it was his time to get on the bull, Twister. After an announcer hyped it up, Cole and Twister burst out of the gates and bucked around for about five seconds or so. I neglected to have the timer out, but he didn't seem to make it to the eight-second mark. After the "bout," Twister nonchalantly pranced out the gates.

Photo by Laura Evans

Speaking of nonchalant, this 2,000 lb. fellow, Bubba, made his way towards the stands for pictures. When asked how he was feeling, Bubba explained that his new nose piercing hurt like hell but was "a total chick magnet."

This weekend's rodeo will feature some of the bigger names in the sport, including J.W. Harris, the reigning bull riding world champion, Cody Ohl, a world champion tie-down roper, and Lecile Harris, a four-time Pro-Rodeo Clown of the Year and former "Hee Haw" cast member. Fans will also see a performance from daredevil Troy Lerwill "The Wild Child."

The MCR starts this Friday and Saturday and will continue through August 29. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m.

During the off-season, the arena will be used for a number of other sports and entertainment events including mixed martial arts "Art of War" and "Mano A Mano" series, the first of which will be held July 12. Concerts and trade shows are among other events to be held at Resistol.

Laura Evans contributed to this story.