Back when Russell Bleakney joined the national gay rodeo circuit, there were only a handful of events a year.
Nowadays, things are different. There are way too many events across the country for folks to attend them all. Yet Bleakney wouldn't trade the growth for anything.
"It was always a goal," he said.
After holding rodeos in Fort Worth for the past five years, the Texas Gay Rodeo Association rides back into Dallas this weekend with the Big D Rodeo at Fair Park. The group has chapters in five Texas cities – Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.
The nonprofit organization raises money for a number of charities. The net profits from every rodeo – there's also an event in South Texas each year – are divided among the five chapters. They've been at it for more than two decades and have raised more than $2.5 million.
"It's finding a way to help do whatever you can wherever you can," said Bleakney, who is president of the state organization.
But the charity is only part of the draw for him.
"For me it's more of a friendship and camaraderie with like-minded people trying to help others," he said.
Throckmorton Mining Company is throwing a kick off party for spectators and competitors at 8 p.m. Thursday, and more than 1,500 folks are expected to attend the rodeo on Saturday and Sunday.
E-mail imccann @quickdfw.com and bform by@quickdfw.com.
The Big D Rodeo will be Saturday and Sunday at Fair Park Pavilion, 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd. Tickets are $15 each and will be available at the gate. A pair of tickets will cost $25 through 9 p.m. Friday only at host hotel Quality Inn Market Center, 1955 Market Center Blvd. For more information call 214-346-2107 or visit www.tgra.org.
• Win copies of Fantasia, the latest album from American Idol winner Fantasia (yeah, she's dropped the last name), tonight at Woody's. 4011 Cedar Springs Road.
• Q Cinema, Fort Worth's gay and lesbian film festival, has its monthly screening 8 p.m. tomorrow at Rave Motion Pictures Ridgmar 13. $8. 2300 Green Oaks Road, Fort Worth.
The Big D Rodeo will be Saturday and Sunday at Fair Park Pavilion, 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd. Tickets are $15 each and will be available at the gate. A pair of tickets will cost $25 through 9 p.m. Friday only at host hotel Quality Inn Market Center, 1955 Market Center Blvd. For more information, call 214-346-2107 or visit www.tgra.org.
