State Budget Crisis Causes Cancellation Of 2010 Prison Rodeo

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

MCALESTER, OK -- Budget cuts have put an Oklahoma tradition on hold for 2010.  The annual Prison Rodeo at the state prison in McAlester has been canceled for this year. 

The annual affair at the state penitentiary has been a uniquely Oklahoma tradition for seven decades.

Billed as the 'worlds only behind the walls prison rodeo,' its cancellation could also mean a big loss of business for McAlester. 

It's an event that's become synonymous with McAlester. 

Residents of the Pittsburg County community live in the shadow of Big Mac, the city's maximum security prison, but every August they go inside the walls to cheer on the inmates. 

"Been going on continually for 70 years, and the city looks forward to it. It's a great celebration of not only rodeo but our heritage as well," said McAlester mayor Kevin Priddle. 

But the rodeo has become the latest victim of Oklahoma's budget woes. 

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections says it can't afford to put it on, and doesn't have enough prison guards to provide adequate security. 

The prison rodeo has gone on hiatus before because of world wars and prison riots, but this is the first time it's even been shut down for financial reasons. 

"It's going to affect the state of Oklahoma; it's going to affect McAlester. It's a world-wide event," said Assistant Prison Warden Terry Crenshaw. 

Crenshaw grew up only a few blocks away from the prison.  He has fond childhood memories of the rodeo, and since he began working at Big Mac, says the event has served as a motivator and deterrent for his inmates. 

"It brings a group together. The things I've noticed, away from gang affiliation, color of races. It gives them an opportunity to band together for an event such as the rodeo," Terry Crenshaw said. 

It's also a revenue opportunity for McAlester.

The McAlester's mayor says it generates $1 million for the local economy, and average attendance is around 11,000.  But all that will be bucked this year. 

"We're in Oklahoma and rodeo fits. So it's pretty disappointing when you can't have a rodeo in the middle of Oklahoma," said Kevin Priddle. 

The city had been planning a benefit concert to raise money for renovating the rodeo grounds.  Priddle says that concert will still be held, and he is confident the rodeo will be back next year.