Or announcer Charlie Throckmorton delivering a sterling, patriotic tribute to honor America.
Or barrelman “Shotgun” Rodney Gaston offering one his infinitely hilarious jokes.
Whatever causes rodeo fans a thrill, Keith Smith notices and takes personal satisfaction in his accomplishment.
“I determine success by when I look in the crowd each night, ‘Are people smiling and having a good time?’” said Smith, coordinator of Belton’s Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo. “That’s what it’s ultimately about.
“Regardless of whether we have 500 or 5,000 (people in the stands), we’re still going to put on the same show. If the people are happy, then we did our job.”
For the third straight year, Smith’s behind-the-scenes work should provide area fans an entertaining show when the 85th annual Belton Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo kicks off its three-day event tonight at Bell County Expo Center. Each of the three performances begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
Calling the action will once again be the legendary voice of Throckmorton, who has been announcing Belton’s annual rodeo since 1988 and has great appreciation for Smith.
“I wish most committees were as organized as Keith’s is,” said Throckmorton, who will join the lineup of Gaston, the All American Cowgirl Chicks and the stock provided by Lancaster and Pickett Pro Rodeo Company of Fairfield.
“When we come to rehearse tonight (Wednesday), he’ll have everything already planned out. He’s fabulous.”
Smith grew up in Southlake with in interest in livestock and was a member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America. Participating only in calf roping, he never found his niche as a rodeo cowboy.
Instead, Smith found greater enjoyment in managing the fast-paced event and handling the variables of different contestants and animals each night.
One thing that remains constant, though, is Smith’s dedication to preserve the integrity of the Belton rodeo. His planning for the event begins about two weeks after the previous year’s rodeo has been completed. With the help of more than 100 volunteers for the celebration, including around 20 for the rodeo, Smith understands how valuable his role is to the community.
“When I first started doing this, I started looking at the pictures at the (Belton) Chamber (of Commerce) office and went back to 1924,” Smith said of the inaugural Belton rodeo. “So I told my 6-year-old kid, at some point in time, you can go back and look at the history books and you’ll see my name in there.
“I kind of preach that a little bit. When we’re out here tired, hot and sweaty, (I say) ‘Hey guys, our names are going to be in the history books one day.’ That’s probably the coolest thing about it. It’s part of history every time we do this.”
Throckmorton also respects the tradition.
He was offered an opportunity to announce the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede, the world’s largest Fourth of July rodeo, but turned it down in favor of Belton.
“The old saying is ‘You dance with the one that brung ya,’” Throckmorton said. “I know a lot of people. It’s just a great place and I like it here.”
This year’s event includes around 300 participants, up from last year’s 260. Area contestants include Killeen’s Steven Robertson (tonight’s bull riding and bareback riding), Belton’s Taylor Mitchell (today’s slack team roping), Gatesville’s Jimmy Edens (Saturday’s team roping), Rogers’ Charity Lundy (tonight’s barrel racing), Killeen’s Katie Parks, Rogers’ Sandra Richter (both in Friday’s barrel racing) and Salado’s Karilee Eddleman (Saturday’s barrel racing).
One of tonight’s top draws is the saddle bronc competition featuring Gause’s Kaila Mussell-Dent, who in 2002 became the first female to win a PRCA event.
Spicing up the three-day event is Saturday’s $1,000 “Match Ride of Champions” duel between Troy Nail of Kemp and Jake Brown of Hillsboro.
That idea came from Smith, who will be watching from behind the McDonald’s sign in the southwest corner of the arena. He’ll be doing anything from pulling a gate to helping out in the children’s favorite, mutton bustin’.
That’s just his way to make sure Belton’s annual rodeo continues to be a success.
“We always ask ourselves, ‘What we did, did it have an impact on our community?,’ and that’s the main thing,” Smith said. “This is a community event and that means a lot. You’re looking at 30,000-50,000 people being in our area and roughly 15,000 people come to the rodeo.”
And nearly everyone goes home happy.
Said Throckmorton: “It’s not the largest, but it’s damn sure one of the best."
NOTE: Tonight is Military Appreciation Night, with all active military personnel getting in free. Friday is Family Appreciation Night, and Saturday will present the Patriotic Program.
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
