It is almost time for the Rodeo in Lawton. This year the Lawton Rangers want to make it easy for all who want to attend. Plan now to attend and experience this Lawton tradition!

The 73rd Annual Lawton Rangers Rodeo will be held at the LO Ranch arena east of Lawton, August 10 through 13 and to encourage attendance, the Rangers are keeping ticket prices at the same level.

Adult, in advance, is $12, $15 at the gate, children ages 6 - 12 will be $6 in advance or at the gate. Under 6 will be admitted free with an adult.

This rodeo is a PRCA -sanctioned event and will have about 400 top cowboys and cowgirls competing in Barrel Racing, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding. Children will also have the opportunity to get in on the Calf Scramble.

Gates open nightly at 6:30 and the Grand Entry will be at 7:30.

The popular "Family Night" package will be available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. This allows an immediate family (dad, mom and four children) to attend for $25, saving $29.

Business owners who want to purchase blocks of tickets for their employees can do so by contacting the Rangers for a low price of $10 each.

Advance tickets are available now at Crutchers for the West on "C" ave, all Lawton EZ-Go Stores, Atwoods, Showman's Choice and Ruben's Shoes.

History of the Lawton Rangers

In the 1930’s a group of citizens had the idea to celebrate Lawton’s Birthday on August 6th in western style and called themselves the “Buckaroos”, with the first rodeo arena built in the downtown area. Over the years, the Lawton Rangers have evolved first becoming a riding club in 1941 and officially organized as “The Lawton Rangers” in 1944. The club’s purpose was to improve the breed of cattle and horses in southwest Oklahoma, to promote and produce rodeos and other forms of entertainment, and encourage breeding of pure-breed cattle and horses. Land was purchased on Highway 277 south of Lawton and named the “L.O. Ranch” with the first rodeo at that location was held on August 3-6, 1945. In 1967, 40 acres was purchased east of Lawton and has been the home of the Lawton Rangers ever since and bears the well-known name “L.O. Ranch Arena & Rodeo Grounds”. Numerous facility changes and enhancements have been made over the years thru continued efforts of the members, community support and sponsorships. These facility improvements provide a venue that attracts some of the best professional Rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls to our community each year.

The Lawton Rangers, Inc is now chartered in the State of Oklahoma as a non-profit organization and has grown to over 100 members today. Not only has the organization remained true to the original goals and mission and continues to host their annual rodeo every August but they have expanded their community involvement through the years. Annually, scholarships are provided to three high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in some form of agriculture. Regular donations are made to support the Breast Cancer Center, CCMH Starlight Children’s Fund as well as provide support to the “Giddy-up-Go” program for youth as well as other children’s programs and organizations in our community.

Over the years, the Lawton Rangers have represented our community through participation in local parades, rodeo grand entries and several times at the Fort Worth Livestock Rodeo Parade which is the largest non-motorized parade in the country. They are one of the longest-standing civic clubs in SW Oklahoma and have remained true to their original values and continue to provide one of the largest events in the area, which has become a tradition for the Lawton Community and attracts out of town visitors each year.

 

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