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The Seventh Annual Sunshine Stampede Rodeo...

Let the Rodeo Begin

The 2012 Sunshine Stampede is an entire weekend of sporting and entertainment events. Rodeo Competition usually starts around 9:00 am on Saturday and Sunday Mornings and usually runs until about 5:00 p.m. each day. The Running Orders shows when each event takes place, but keep in mind there are no specific times for any event and it is subject to change . This flexibility is due to the unknown number of contestants at time of this printing and the unpredictability of the animals, and the set up in the arena.

Weekend Events Schedule

The 2012 Sunshine Stampede

All times and locations subject to change
Events subject to change

April 19, 2012 – Thursday

Horse Stalls Open for Early Check In
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
IGRA & FGRA Royalty Show at the Manor
The Manor Complex
9:00 PM to 11:00PM
Join Royalty, both past and present from IGRA and across the circuit, as well as local performers for fun and fundraising.

April 20, 2012 – Friday

Horse Stalls Reopen for Regular Check In
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Stalls available for check in. We ask that you arrive by 5:30 PM to complete check in by 6:00 PM
Vendor Set-Up
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
2012 Vendor Application
Rodeo School
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
8:00 AM - Noon
Lunch provided for attendees
Welcome Pool Party and Mixer Sponsored By Bud Light & Jack Daniels
Non Ticketed Event – Cash Bar
Hilton Hotel Pool Deck
Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hotel
1870 Griffin Road
Dania Beach, FL 33004-2214
2:00 PM – 6:30 PM
After you check in, relax by the pool, enjoy the music and meet the cowboys and cowgirls coming in from all over North America.
Contestant Registration
Dania Ballroom, Hilton Hotel
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Credit cards will be accepted at Contestant Registration. We accept Visa and MasterCard and American Express.
Roundup Meet-n-Greet - Hosted by HomoRodeo.com
The Stable
205 East Oakland Park Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33334
7:00 PM
Friday Night Official Rodeo Kick off Party
Rawhide Round-Up at Ramrod in Wilton Manors
9:00 p.m. until ???

April 21, 2012 – Saturday

First Time (New) Contestant Meeting
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds – VIP Section, near the Contestant area and Announcer's stand
8:30 AM
Mandatory meeting for all first time Rodeo Contestants*
*Meeting time subject to rodeo start time change.
Stampede Officials Meeting
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds - Concession area
8:15 AM
2012 Sunshine Stampede Rodeo, Day One
Tickets Required for this event
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
8:45 AM – Gates Open
9:00 AM - Rodeo Starts* – Morning Events
Approximately Noonish - Grand Entry
12:30 PM – Rodeo – Afternoon Events
1:00 PM - Midway Tent Opens for Dancing and Entertainment
Boom & FGRA Present Boot Scootin' Boogie Party
At Boom Nightclub in Wilton Manors
Non Ticketed Event
9 p.m. - ???

April 22, 2012 - Sunday

2012 Sunshine Stampede Rodeo, Day Two
Tickets Required for this event
Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
8:45 AM – Gates Open
9:00 AM - Rodeo Starts* – Morning Events
Approximately Noonish - Grand Entry
12:30 PM – Rodeo – Afternoon Events
1:00 PM - Midway Tent Opens for Dancing and Entertainment
Awards Ceremony and Dinner
Awards ceremony itself is a non ticket event
7:30 PM^† - Dinner Buffet begins - Dinner requires a ticket^#.
Awards Ceremony
8:00 PM^† - Hilton Ballroom
^#Dinner tickets will be available at Friday night's Registration and the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds.
^†Awards ceremony start time and location is subject to change. Start time is based on actual end time of the rodeo. Listen for announcements on Sunday afternoon at the rodeo.
Official Closing Party - Rodeo Round Up
The Manor Complex
2345 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL
Non Ticketed Event
9:00 PM till Closing

*Rodeo Start times subject to change

Vendors

FGRA welcomes vendors and organizations of all kinds to participate in the vendor fair at the Sunshine Stampede rodeo, held at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds on April 20-22, 2012.

Download the 2012 Vendor Application.

The Bergeron Rodeo Grounds offers a prime vendor location. The central walking path from the main gate to the arena passes through the vendor area, offering all vendors easy access to the event guests. Vendor locations are set up on a well groomed, grass-covered lawn that is to either side of the central walking path. Also mixed in with the vendor area is the daytime entertainment tent. During our prior rodeos, event guests piled up five deep around the tent to watch the entertainment.

FGRA offers two sizes of vending spaces – single spaces (10x10) and double spaces (10x20). Vendors may bring their own canopies, tables, and chairs. Tables and chairs may be rented through FGRA. Canopies are not available for rent. Additionally, a limited amount of electricity is available for rent.

Rates for vendor spaces, tables, chairs, and electricity are detailed below.

Regular Booth Rates¹

Single - Full Weekend: $300.00
Double - Full Weekend: $400.00
Not-for-Profit² - Full Weekend: $75.00
1 Table and 2 Chairs: $25.00
Electric Hookup³: $50.00

Fees do not include table skirting or tents.
Not-for-profit rates are restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations. Proof of 501(c)(3) status is required.
Electric hookups are limited.

FGRA accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for vendor payments.

FGRA is conscious of equal opportunity vending; therefore we reserve the right to limit the number of like vendors. Vendors are encouraged to submit their application promptly to receive priority placement. Placement is determined by date of accepted application, which requires a fully completed application, full payment, and a review of items for sale or organization focus.

Food/Beverage Vendor Note: The Bergeron Arena has an exclusive food and beverage contract with its own vendor. FGRA is unable to accept food and/or beverage vendors.

Download the 2012 Vendor Application. If you have any questions please contact our

Animal Welfare Information

We Support Animal Welfare*

The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) imposes specified rules, which are strictly enforced, and penalizes any contestant found to be guilty of inhumane treatment of animals, the least of which is their immediate disqualification from further competition.

Gay rodeos operate under greatly modified rules of straight rodeo while still preserving this American tradition. Although consisting of traditional rodeo events such as bull riding and bronc riding, gay rodeo activities purposefully have been tailored to provide the animal and human participants with the safest environment possible, while still demonstrating the skill of the contestant.

IGRA bylaws are public record and include numerous rules which strongly protect animals from abuse, including passages that prohibit the use of lame, sore, sick, or undersized stock; mandate the availability of veterinary care; prohibit the beating or cruel prodding of animals; direct the release of any animal from competition that appears in danger of injuring itself; and forbid the use of metal or fiberglass rigging, any equipment judged to be too tight, or the concealed use of caustic ointments or burrs.

There are, however, groups who do not agree with the utilization of animals in any capacity. These animal rights groups oppose the keeping of animals as pets, the presence of animals in zoos and circuses, and the use of animals in the development of life-saving drugs.

Members of these groups should be able to voice their views and disseminate any information they feel is pertinent to their beliefs - that is, so much that it is factual, well-researched, and based upon first-hand observation, as most of the exaggerated accusations of abuse made by animal rights groups toward gay rodeo are based on erroneous information drawn mainly from straight, backwoods rodeos.

Animal rights supporters take the position that animals are equal or superior to humans based upon their inability to make choices for themselves, and that any use by humans is unjust. Further, these groups infringe upon the differences of the lesbian and gay community by attempting to persuade others to conform to their beliefs, giving the impression that the gay rodeo community is anti-animal. This is patently false, as the sponsoring organizations of the celebrations wish to demonstrate a positive force in the community while proving the diversity of the community.

Patrons of gay rodeo support animal welfare, and the humane, responsible treatment of animals in their housing, feeding and exercising, and hygienic and medical needs. These men and women further believe that the raising of animals in a humane manner to be pets or recreational companions is rewarding for both the animals and humans involved.

*This Animal Welfare Statement used with the permission of IGRA.

Rodeo Roundtable

Sunshine Stampede Rodeo Round Table
Voni Whitaker:
Nikol Hillman:	Asst. Rodeo Director - Front of House
Diane Ross:
Randy Reardon:
Mike Fontenot & Nikol Hillman:	Registration Coordinators
Keith Huber:	Interested in sponsoring a buckle? Contact Keith!
Buddy Frey:	Local Sponsorships
RJ Frank:	Vendor Coordinator
Mike Early & Tom Runyan:	Security Directors
Craig English:
Shanna Rousseau:
Todd Eller:	Special Projects
Jim Soefje:	Grand Entry Coordinator
Lloyd Street:	Office Manager
Bobby Fender:	Rodeo School Coordinator