SIKESTON — Four rodeo queens representing communities across Missouri are taking part in the 74th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, which continues through Saturday, Aug. 8.
Miss Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Madison Fetters of Sikeston; Junior Miss Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Hailey Yeager of Farmington; Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri Miley Phillips of East Prairie; and Miss Rodeo Missouri Madison Goetz of Springfield opened Rodeo Week on Aug. 1 by riding in the parade from the Sikeston Kindergarten Center to downtown Sikeston. The parade was followed by the first round of mutton bustin’.
Yeager, who is in her first year competing for a queen title, said fellow queens and rodeo participants have helped her learn the role.
For Fetters, the rodeo carries personal meaning because she grew up attending it each year. She said the rodeo includes barrel racing, bull riding, roping and bucking-horse events during four nightly performances. Mutton bustin’ is also held each night, with finals set for Saturday.