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By MATT PARCHER
Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net

When we hear the word 'summer' many different things come to mind: swimming, baseball, cook-outs and even vacations, but to the people of Pretty Prairie, Kan. the rodeo is always anxiously anticipated.

This year will mark the 71st annual Pretty Prairie Rodeo where 20,000 visitors -- an average from former years -- are expected to come pouring into the small town that only 650 people call home.

"It's a big event," said Roy Graber, Winfield Courier managing editor and a Pretty Prairie native. "It's a big tradition and kind of puts us on the map."

Graber claims that some of his family members were among those who founded the rodeo around 1937.

"My family has always been involved," Graber said. "It's the big event that everyone comes home to. We've had top contenders attend over the years and also a lot world champions."

The rodeo is known as Kansas' largest night rodeo -- the Hutchinson News called it 'one of the eight wonders of Reno County' -- and will host performers such as funnyman, Robbie Hodges -- a provider of outrageous acts, comical banter and quick wit with off-the-cuff commentary; Texas sound man, Ben Benavides -- the disc jockey that will play tunes for the dance after the Wednesday and Thursday performances -- and the Blaine Younger Band that will perform on Friday and Saturday nights.

Among other things that make this rodeo so great, the atmosphere stands out as being quite unique.

"This rodeo is Western life-style meets big city hip-hop," rodeo media coordinator, Ted Harbin said. "We draw a very diverse crowd. You'll see people walking around in fancy cowboy hats, pressed jeans and boots, as well as people in tank tops and flip flops."

Although the rodeo hasn't needed added help in the past attracting visitors, it should receive some this year.

"This time of the year when gas prices are outrageous, the rodeo will be a good place to go; it's close to home and cheap," Harbin said. "You could make a day trip to Pretty Prairie and spend a couple of hours at the rodeo, then drive home and sleep in your own bed that night."

The Booster Club -- and everyone else involved with the rodeo -- take great pride in everything associated with it and have worked hard all year long to ensure a good-quality experience for those attending this year as the restroom facilities on the west side of the arena have been expanded; new lights have been added to the east side and other cosmetic changes have been made.

A beer tent will also be available to provide fans with added relief in the sweltering July weather.

The biggest change, however, won't be one of materialistic proportions.

Hadley Barrett -- the rodeo's former ProRodeo Hall of Fame announcer -- has decided to reduce his rodeo schedule and turn this year's duties over to his son-in-law, Randy Corley.

Corley is an 11-time Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association announcer of the year and a future hall-of-famer himself. He is known for his smooth, baritone voice and has called rodeo action at the National Finals Rodeo, the National Circuit Finals Rodeo, several ProRodeo Tour finales and some of the most prestigious events in ProRodeo.

Another new addition to this year's festivities will make its presence known in the form of a good cause.

The Tough Enough to Wear Pink initiative, which was founded a few years ago, is sweeping rodeos across the country, encouraging people to show their support by wearing pink on the designated night to help raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.

This year's pink night will be held on Friday the 18th.

The Pretty Prairie rodeo will kick things off on July 16 and will run through the 19th.