Missing the IFYR this summer

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In July of this year, there was a huge event missing from my calendar.

It’s a sports activity that has consumed a considerable amount of time for more than three decades.

This would have been the 28th consecutive year for the International Finals Youth Rodeo. Contestants and their parents would have started descending on Shawnee and the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center with check-in on July 10, the Friday before the first performance on Sunday night, July 12.

It would have been over on Friday night, July 17, but the thousands of people who would have been here once again for a week would have created a major economic impact to the area.

For me, personally, it would have marked at least 35 consecutive years of being involved in and providing coverage for a rodeo of national and international scope.

I covered the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D., for a year, three years in Pueblo, Colo., and the three years Shawnee hosted it.

Beginning in 1984, I also covered the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association Finals in several locations, among them Shawnee at the Expo Center.

So since the mid-80s, I’ve been involved with covering and helping direct coverage of various high school rodeo finals.

Not having that to occupy part of my time last month I thought would have created a bit of a void.

But there was plenty else to do.

When I learned in April the IFYR was canceled summer, it didn’t come as a great shock or total surprise.

Of course I was disappointed as were thousands of other people including the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority, volunteers, contestants, the IPRA and fans.

It was understandable with the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 in the U.S.

There was and still is too much uncertainty and a decision, as difficult as it may have been to make, had to be made.

We can chalk up what would have been IFYR 28 this summer as another casualty of the Coronavirus.

The SCCDA had little choice but to cancel it.

Randy Gilbert, chairman of the SCCDA, told me in April, “We’re trying to be safety-oriented for our contestants, their families, our volunteers and the staff.”

Last year’s IFYR drew contestants from 34 states and two countries, he said.

As he pointed out, “The IFYR is more than an event it is a family.

Those who have been involved through the years know the importance of the relationships, memories and opportunities fostered during rodeo week and we anticipate this to continue with the 2021 IFYR.”

Randy further stated, “To our athletes, volunteers, staff and fans know that you are in our prayers as we all face this together and we will be back next year ready to go.”

The IFYR originated in 1993.