Story posted Thursday, June 18, 2009
Mayor Craig Johnson, wearing a white cowboy hat, rides a pink bouncing ball in the village council chambers June 16 to prepare for the Little Boots Rodeo set to take place June 28. (Tom Robb/The Journal)
Mayor Vs. Mechanical Bull?
'Little Boots Rodeo' Returns June 28
When children gather at Elk Grove Village's Hometown Parade this Saturday they might just get a free cowboy hat from Jack Groat.
Later this month, Groat and the Elk Grove Park District will host the "Little Boots Rodeo" at the Pavilion. The event, aimed are children age three to 10, is in its second year and will likely be bigger than last year's event.
"I always wanted to do something totally different than what was available in any other town," said event organizer Groat.
When Groat pitched the idea to the Elk Grove Park Board two years ago he did it dressed as an old miner.
Kids can participate in bouncy ball barrel runs, horse stick runs and will pan for fool's gold during the Rodeo. Two carousels with live ponies will be available for children to ride as well as both large and small mechanical bulls, a shooting gallery and a horse drawn wagon. Kids will be eligible for trophies for best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl. Adults will be able to sneak away to the beer garden that will substitute for a saloon.
Bragging rights are on the line for a second year as well. At last Tuesday's village board meeting, Groat challenged Mayor Craig Johnson to see who could last longer on one of the mechanical bulls. Groat won last year's challenge as Johnson said he "slipped."
Last year, 200 kids participated in the event and Groat wants to double or triple that this year.
Sweeney's Barbeque will provide food for the event.
The event takes place behind the Pavilion near Pirate's Cove on Sunday, June 28. Registration starts at 11 a.m. with events running from noon to 5 p.m.
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