BAKER — The Old Spanish Trail Rodeo has attracted some of the Southeast’s top cowboys and cowgirls to Baker for more than a quarter-century.

The 27^th annual event, set for April 8 and 9, continues the tradition, featuring a crew from the Professional Cowboy Association, according to Baker Area Recreation Association president Mark Todd.

Here’s what attendees can expect:

●Traditional events of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, break-away roping, barrel racing, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling and bull riding.

●Eager participants. “PCA just had their finals in Biloxi, Miss., this past January and they had their largest turnout and a payout of over $200,000, which is huge for a rodeo circuit in our area,” Todd said.  “We expect to see great things from them.”

Last year, the rodeo attracted more than 200 riders to the two-night event. The BARA sweetens things up by adding $1,000 to the purse in each event.

“What that does is draw better riders into the rodeo,” Todd said. “It’s a win for the rodeo and also for the spectators. We want the riders to do well because if they do well it will make the younger kids want to get into rodeo.”

●Fan favorites the All American Cowgirl Chicks to be back for their fifth year. “They’ve (the Cowgirl Chicks) become an important part of our rodeo like Rudy the clown and Mr. (Jim) Poole our announcer,” who also will return, Todd said.  “The Cowgirl Chicks do an opening for us. They then perform two times during the rodeo. They will do a meet and greet again this year at Ace Hardware in Crestview on Saturday of the rodeo from 12-2 p.m.”

●Herbert Theriot of Poplarville, Miss.-based ST Rodeo Company,  returning as stock contractor

●A ceremony each night to honor a local war hero with an American flag.

Advance tickets go on sale March 21, and some ambitious young readers may win free entrance. Students from area elementary schools will participate in the Reading for the Rodeo program, meeting reading goals in hopes of winning a ticket. Todd said the goal is to help make students lifelong readers.

Another goal, for the entire event, is to keep Northwest Florida and surrounding residents coming back. Todd said he’ll attend about a half-dozen rodeos throughout the year to see how to improve the Old Spanish Trail Rodeo.

“To me this is not just a rodeo, it’s a performance we are going to put on for these spectators,” he said. “We want the spectators to be able to enjoy it as a family event that they will be able to come back to in future years.

“We can’t do this without the fans.”

UPCOMING

WHAT: Old Spanish Trail Rodeo

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 8 and 9; gates open at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Barnhill Arena, Highway 4, Baker

COST: Adults: $12 advance, $15 at gate. Children ages 5-12: $7 advance, $10 at gate. Children under 5: free. Reserved seating tickets, $20, available at Ace Hardware Crestview and Tractor Supply.

NOTES: Advance tickets go on sale March 21 at locations throughout the area. See more information at http://bakerarena.com/bara_rodeo.php

Old Spanish Rodeo Information

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Old Spanish Trail Rodeo schedules return to Baker

Need something to do this weekend? Check out these fun events: 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this weekend in Northwest Florida

The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women is now taking nominations from the community for the 2016 Women's Wall of Honor. 

The deadline for nominations is April 15.

“We encourage friends, family members, co-workers and employers to nominate the special women in our county who enrich their lives," OCCSW chair Dawn Johnson said.

"Women in our community have made tremendous contributions to our county's growth, health, education, welfare and culture.  Each year we want to continually recognize these women in a permanent way.”

An annual OCCSW ceremony honors women who have contributed to the well-being of children, families and the citizens of our community.

A ceremony to honor them is 10 a.m. May 3 in the auditorium (building eight) at the University of West Florida, Fort Walton Beach campus. Their names also are placed on a plaque in the campus library, with a nearby book containing a biographical page for each woman.

This is the OCCSW’s signature fundraiser and every woman who is nominated is included on the Wall of Honor.

Click here for a nomination form.

The nomination form, a short paragraph (100 words or less) about the woman you wish to honor, her photo and a $100 donation to the OCCSW should be submitted to the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women, Post Office Box 681, Niceville, Florida 32588.

For more on the wall of honor, see http://www.occsw.org/womens-wall-of-honor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Women's Wall of Honor nominees wanted (DOCUMENT)

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa Arts Alliance invites all Okaloosa County students in kindergarten through 12th grades to participate in the 7th Annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest.   

Students may use anything they can create on paper with markers, pencils, paint, pastels, charcoal, or crayons to illustrate what the theme "Summer Fun" means to them.

First through third place winners will be announced in each category: elementary (K-4); middle school (6-8); and high school (8-12).

Gift card prizes are $75 for first place; $50 for second; and $25 for third.

Additionally, the first place winners’ artwork will be posted in the OAA's newsletter and website. 

Entries can be submitted by an Okaloosa County school or by individual students.  

Requirements:

●one entry per student.

●Posters must be 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, the standard size.

●Entries must include the name of the artist, the person's grade, and the name of the school they attend.

●The deadline is April 30.

●Mail to Okaloosa Arts Alliance-Poster Contest, P.O. Box  4426, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549. 

All entries will be on display and winners will be announced at the Okaloosa Arts & Culture Fest, which is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. 

It is a free family event with live entertainment, food, artists and vendors, free activities, a silent auction and the poster contest display.

Email Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com for more information about the poster contest or a vendor application.        

For more on the Okaloosa Arts Alliance, go to www.okaloosaarts.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Arts Alliance plans student poster contest

CRESTVIEW — Brandon Bess, 30, was last seen Sunday around 10 a.m., when he left his house on Antioch Road, his brother, Bobby Bess, Jr., said.

“He told his fiancée he was running a quick errand and would be right back,” Bobby said.

After repeated calls and texts to Brandon’s cell phone and checking with local hospitals, his fiancée contacted Crestview Police Department and filled out a missing person’s report.

Later in the evening, when Brandon still had not returned home, Bobby started sending out a message on his Facebook page asking friends to be on the lookout for his younger brother. The post has been shared hundreds of times, he said.

Read more from the Northwest Florida Daily News>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Have you seen this missing Crestview man?

CRESTVIEW — A homeless veteran has a new bicycle after receiving help from some area residents.  

Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless volunteers requested funds for the $150 bike Feb. 22, and was able to buy it a week later for David Payne, who stays in a tent behind Publix on South Ferdon Boulevard.

Payne will use the bike to visit CASH’s Helping Hands building behind First United Methodist Church.

"He needs to come to us to do his laundry and get a shower. He has medical issues: bad knees and hip, along with stomach cancer,” Anne Sprague, CASH’s president, said.

Payne is working toward securing disability benefits, Sprague said.

Helping Hands is located at 428 McLaughlin St., Crestview. Contact Sprague, 826-1770, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview area residents donate bicycle to homeless veteran

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Public Library's First Tuesday Lecture is scheduled.

Sheila Dunning, a horticulture agent at the Okaloosa County Extension Service, will present, "Don't Get Fooled By Fertilizer" 10:30 a.m. April 5 at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

The lectures are free and open to the public.

For more information, call the library at 682-4432 or the extension office at 689-5850.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library schedules lecture on fertilizer

Okaloosa Beach Safety will begin active lifeguard operations on Saturday, March 12, and will continue daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., now through Memorial Day weekend.

After that weekend, lifeguard hours are extended from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Labor Day on Sept. 1. Lifeguards will continue to man the beaches through October 2016.

Beach flag conditions will be announced daily at 9 a.m.

Flag warnings are as follows:

●Green flags indicate a low hazard with calm swimming conditions

●Yellow flags — medium hazard

Red flag — high hazard.  If a double red flag is flying, the water is closed for swimming. 

●Purple flags indicate marine pests are present.

Lifeguards conduct training throughout the year to maintain their qualifications and preparedness for the summer season. For more information, contact Beach Safety, 609-5405; or the Citizens Information Line at 311 (within the county).

Okaloosa County Beach Safety urges everyone to be observant of the warning flags placed along public beaches, swim in front of a lifeguard and make wise choices to be safe in the upcoming summer months. 

Download the free Ready Okaloosa App for daily updates, flag warnings, hazards, surf conditions and more. Visit http://okaloosabeachsafety.org and follow Beach Safety on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lifeguards return to patrolling Okaloosa County beaches

NICEVILLE — The 11th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Challenge is scheduled.

Packet pick-up is 4:30-9 p.m. April 29 at Helen Back Again, US Highway 20, Niceville. It includes a pizza dinner for participants.

The race is 8 a.m. April 30, at the EOD memorial on Range Road, Niceville. Registration and check-in are at 6:30 a.m. for the event, which ends at Schooners Restaurant and Marina in Niceville.

The race will include three challenges for participants, with awards being given for the top overall male and female, and the top three males and females from each of three age groups.

The race can be completed as part of a team or individually. There is a six-person team minimum for the race, and everyone must finish together.

The first leg ncludes a 4.25-mile ruck race (30 pounds for men, 15 pounds for women), followed by a half-mile swim (fins and flotation devices permitted), and a 3.25-mile run.

In the ruck race, team members take turns carrying the weight through their leg of the race.

All proceeds support the foundation’s mission of helping EOD warriors and their families.

“The memorial challenge is a great event that has been growing each year,” said Nicole Motsek, the foundation's executive director. “It is a challenging course that puts your abilities to the test, but it’s for a great cause and it’s a lot of fun too.”

To learn more or register, go to http://www.eodwarriorfoundation.org/events.

The EOD Warrior Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help EOD warriors and their family members to include families of fallen EOD warriors. Specific programs include emergency financial relief, college scholarships, hope and wellness retreats and care of the EOD Memorial on Eglin Air Force Base.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 11th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Challenge is coming up

MOSSY HEAD — Choctawhatchee Electrical Cooperative is hosting a golf tournament, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and American Heart Association Heart Walk.

The tournament starts with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. March 18 at Blackstone Golf Course in Mossy Head. Cost is $350 per team, and hole sponsorships are $100 each.

For more information, contact Kevin Campbell, 307-1123, or Bryan Gilbert, 307-1125.

Make checks payable to Blackstone Golf Course, and mail to CHELCO, Attn: Marketing, P.O. Box 512, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHELCO charity golf tournament scheduled