Annual Lilesville rodeo draws a crowd

LILESVILLE — Cowboy hats and boots abounded as Circle G Arena filled up with hundreds of fans Friday night for the 23rd annual Lilesville Rodeo.

Bluegrass and country music blared over the sound system while people from Anson, Richmond and surrounding counties filed in and enjoyed events before the rodeo such as a mechanical bull, a bounce house, different types of carnival-style food and merchandise to buy.

Travis Goodwin, co-owner of Circle G Arena, said the night would include seven events starting with bareback riding, calf roping, barrel racing, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding.

Local residents from Richmond County like Ricky Shelley and his wife Catherine, along with their children Ella, age 3, and Rhett, age 1, made the trek to Anson County Friday night and said it’s something they try to do every year.

“We come because it’s fun, and we like the horses and funnel cake and ice cold lemonade,” said Catherine Shelley, to which Rhett Shelley replied, “Yeehaw.”

Professional cowboy Harold Miller gets bucked around Friday night in Circle G Arena but not before he stayed on his horse for 7.8 seconds.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0706.jpgProfessional cowboy Harold Miller gets bucked around Friday night in Circle G Arena but not before he stayed on his horse for 7.8 seconds.

Rodeo clown Bud Graves smiles for the camera as he sits on the gate during intermission of Friday night’s rodeo at Circle G Arena in Lilesville. Graves has been a rodeo clown for 35 years.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0807.jpgRodeo clown Bud Graves smiles for the camera as he sits on the gate during intermission of Friday night’s rodeo at Circle G Arena in Lilesville. Graves has been a rodeo clown for 35 years.

Professional cowgirl Nancy Garrison is all smiles before she rides later on in the night at Circle G Arena.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0633.jpgProfessional cowgirl Nancy Garrison is all smiles before she rides later on in the night at Circle G Arena.

Cowboy Bradley Howard, 17, tries his hand at the mechanical bull before riding the real thing later on in the night.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0569.jpgCowboy Bradley Howard, 17, tries his hand at the mechanical bull before riding the real thing later on in the night.

A vendor helps out a future cowgirl with finding her the perfect bright pink hat Friday night at Circle G Arena in Lilesville.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0610.jpgA vendor helps out a future cowgirl with finding her the perfect bright pink hat Friday night at Circle G Arena in Lilesville.

Two-year-old John Neal Conklin of Wadesboro looks at the calves Friday night before the rodeo began while his dad, Neal, holds him on the railing.

https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0582.jpgTwo-year-old John Neal Conklin of Wadesboro looks at the calves Friday night before the rodeo began while his dad, Neal, holds him on the railing.