The 76th annual Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, one of longest-running such events in the United States, begins Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Howard County Rodeo Bowl, located just off West FM 700 in the west part of town.

Advanced ticket prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children and can be purchased at the Big Spring Chamber of Commerce, Ward's Boot and Saddle, First Bank of West Texas, First Big Spring Banking Center, Well Fargo, Citizens Federal Credit Union, State National Bank and H-E-B.

Tickets purchased at the gate will be $10 for adults and $8 for children.

Performances each night begin at 8 p.m.

Dances will follow each night's performances. Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys will perform Thursday night (admission is free with a rodeo ticket), followed by Mark Powell and Lariat Friday ($10 admission) and Mark McKinney Saturday ($20 admission).

Rodeo week officially begins with the annual parade at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Because of construction work along the traditional parade route of Main and Scurry streets, it will take a different path this year.

Rodeo Association Board Member Quail Dobbs said the parade will begin at the intersection of Third and Owens Streets and proceed west on Third Street to Scurry, turn south for one block and then proceed east on Fourth Street and end at the intersection of Fourth and Owens.

Dobbs said the new parade route comes on the heels of several rumors the annual event would be cancelled, and while the rodeo's organizers considered nixing the kick-off parade, that's simply not the case.

“We thought about not having a parade and there are lots of rumors going around that we won’t be having one,” Dobbs said. “But we decided we didn’t want to do that, so we’re definitely going to have a parade, but the route will be a lot different.”

The parade will feature a number of award categories, including floats, tractors, riding clubs, motorcycles, custom and classic cars and bicycles.

In addition, the rodeo association will again be providing cash prizes to the first- through third-place entries regardless of division. First place will net the recipient $100, while the second-place finisher will get a $50 award and the third-place award will be $25.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it