It's here! The event every Gay cowboy and cowgirl has been waiting for all year long-the 1982 National Reno Gay Rodeo. As this issue of GO! Magazine was heading for the presses, the San Diego chapter of Great Outdoors was making last-minute plans for the bus load of members and guests from Southern California. A second contingent was also gathering through Desert Adventures in Phoenix and would be meeting the Great Outdoors group in Reno. Other GO members and guests are heading out on their own and will rally at the many events planned for Great Outdoors.
And what a weekend it will be. Over 20,000 cowboys and cowgirls are expected from throughout the country to compete in and observe this annual rodeo that now offers some $10,000 in prize money. Sponsored by the Comstock Gay Rodeo Association, the event will highlight a number of entertainers. Grand marshall for the rodeo will be comedian Joan Rivers. San Francisco Entertainer of the Year Sharon McNight, who wowed the crowd last year with her rendition of "Stand By Your Man," will also be there, along with the recording star Rose Maddox, the Texas Mustang Band, Linda Land and the Western Electric Band, and the Portland Rose Band.
Another highlight of last year's rodeo entertainment was the San Francisco Foggy City Squares and Houston's Montrose Cloggers. They will again be kickin' up a storm and keeping alive this special style of dancing that was born in the Old West. Another event planned for Saturday evening will be "An Evening of Women in Song," featuring Teresa Trull, Robin Flower, Barbara Highbie and Beth Scalet. Don't worry. You men can come along, too.
It's been billed as "a weekend of Gay Western Pride," and if last year was any indication, everyone in attendance will be deeply affected by their time in Reno. The following is a complete listing of all Rodeo events, including the schedule of activities planned for Great Outdoors participants.
Thursday, July 29
3pm: Great Outdoors bus leave San Diego from parking lot behind organ pavilion in Balboa Park.
5pm: GO bus stops in San Bernardino to pick up passengers from other Southern California cities.
3:30am: Approximate time of bus arrival in Reno. Hotel check-in.
Friday, ..July 30 12 Noon: Country Fair opens with games, sales and information booths. Free entertainment on the Midway Stage features Texas Mustang Band, Portland Rose Band, and others.
Rodeo
3pm: Champagne reception at the Sands Hotel (Rodeo Headquarters) for Great Outdoors members and guests.
5pm: Bus leaves Sands hotel for rodeo grounds.
5:30pm: Western steak bar-b-que to the first 6.000 through the gates. Moooo!
7pm: Barn Dance, starring Sharon McNight, Rose Maddox, Linda Lane & Western Electric Band, Texas Mustang Band, Montrose Cloggers, Foggy City Squares, and more!
8pm: Midway Stage. Finalists in the Mr., Ms. and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo Contest.
9 :30pm: First Great Outdoors shuttle bus from the rodeo grounds back to the hotels.
1 am: Second GO shuttle bus from rodeo grounds to hotels.
Saturday, July 31
9am: Country Fair opens. Portland Rose Band again entertains with other groups to be announced.
10am: Square dance and cloggers' dancing exhibition in the Exhibit Hall (repeated at 12:30pm).
12 Noon: Great Outdoors bus leaves Sands hotel for the Rodeo.
1 pm: First round of the National Reno Gay Rodeo. Main Arena. Grand Marshall Joan Rivers and Rose Maddox entertain, along with the Texas Mustang Band playing in the stands. Great Outdoors bus will return to hotels 15 minutes following final The 1982 National Reno Gay Rodeo and Country Fair.
Saturday, July 31
9am: Country Fair opens. Portland Rose Band again entertains with other Groups to be announced.
10am: Square dance and cloggers' dancing exhibition in the Exhibit Hall (repeated at 12:30pm).
12 Noon: Great Outdoors bus leaves Sands hotel for the Rodeo.
1 pm: First round of the National Reno Gay Rodeo. Main Arena. Grand Marshall Joan Rivers and Rose Maddox entertain, along with the Texas Mustang Band playing in the stands. Great Outdoors bus will return to hotels 15 minutes following final Rodeo event of the day.
7pm: Great Outdoors no-host cocktail party for members and guests. Sands Hotel.
7pm: "Just Country" Dance and Show, Exhibition Hall. Starring Sharon McNight, Rose Maddox, Linda Land & Western Electric, Texas Mustang Band, Montrose Cloggers and Foggy City Squares. Dancin' till 4am.
Bpm: "An Evening of Women's Concerts" starring Teresa Trull, Robin Flower, Barbara Highbie, Beth Scalet. Livestock Pavilion. (Men welcome).
9 :45pm: Bus leaves Sands Hotel for Dances at Rodeo Grounds and Reno Nightlife Tour.
1am: GO shuttle bus from Rodeo Dances back to hotels.
Sunday, August 1
9am: Country Fair opens. Entertainment on the Midway Stage by Linda Land & the Western Electric Band, plus others.
11: 15am: Great Outdoors bus leaves Sands hotel for Rodeo. Leave bags outside hotel room door by 10:30am. Check out of hotel prior to boarding bus.
12 Noon: Final round of the National Reno Gay Rodeo. Main Arena.
3:45pm: Approximately: Great Outdoors bus departs Reno 15 minutes after the final Rodeo event. Eat at the Rodeo or bring a box lunch. Beverages will be provided, but this bus is non-stop for home! What a weekend!
3:45am: Approximately: Arrival back in San Diego, tired but well worth it.
