Altus Air Force Base News

 

2010 Cattle Drive at Altus AFB brings base and community together

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  One of the unique things about Altus Air Force Base is a tradition that brings together the base, the local population, and about 50 longhorn cattle.

"The annual cattle drive on base will be held Thursday, Aug. 26, around 10 a.m., starting start on the softball fields," said Tina Hilton, Military Affairs Board member for the Great Plains Stampede Rodeo.

The cattle drive tradition was started Aug. 26, 1999, with 15 riders driving a herd of about 30 long horn cattle winding through the streets of Altus AFB. It's been a tradition ever since then.

Last year, there were 50 head of cattle and about 100 riders; this year is expected to match those numbers. The cattle are driven approximately 3 1/2 miles, going through the main portions of the base and housing, and has the potential to be seen by up to 3,000 base personnel and 440 grade school students and teachers.

Those who would like to ride horses in the cattle drive must be able to provide their own horse and arrive at the base softball fields by 9:15 a.m. Optional military dress for the participants is flight suits, BDUs/ABUs, boots, and a cowboy hat; wing commander Col. Ty Thomas has approved this headgear for the round up. Civilian dress for participants is boots or tennis shoes and long sleeve shirts and jeans.

Those who ride in the cattle drive are eligible to ride in the rodeo grand entry that evening and also in the parade on Saturday, Aug. 28. Dress requirements for those who ride in the rodeo per Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association rules are boots or tennis shoes, long-sleeve shirt and jeans. Flight suits, BDUs, or ABUs and boots are also acceptable.

Thursday night, Aug. 26, is Military Appreciation Night at the rodeo held at the Altus Rodeo Arena behind Burger King on Veterans Drive. Each ticket holder is eligible for a free chuck wagon dinner, provided by the Military Affairs Committee and the GPSR Association, from 6-7:30 p.m. The Rodeo starts at 8 p.m.

Two contests for base personnel will be held Thursday night at the rodeo. Both contests will have prize money for $250 for their squadron booster club. Contestants will receive a free ticket to the rodeo, but family members must purchase a ticket. The Tug of War consists of four to six teams consisting of 10-man teams. Contestants should be in the arena at 6:30 p.m. The Tarp Relay consists of four teams consisting of three-man teams, and contestants should be in the arena at break during half way through the rodeo. Those who would like to sign up for the contests should e-mail Lisa Holland, lisa.holland@altus.af.mil, by Aug. 23.

Advanced tickets can be purchased from the GPSR Princess candidates Dixie Greene, 301-1366 or 301-1658, Tara Baker, 318-6030, or Queen candidates April Cornelison, 318-2006, and Haley Bryce, 481-0398 or 481-0205. Advanced tickets are $8 general admission, child $5 (ages 6-10) or box seats $12. Only general admission tickets will be sold at the gate for $10.

Tina Hilton said, "Friday night is Family Night and Saturday night is 'Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night,' with 10 percent of Saturday night's monies donated to the Southwest Cancer Center to raise awareness for breast cancer."

The parade line starts at noon Saturday, Aug. 28, west of the Altus City Reservoir next to the water treatment plant with a start time of 1 p.m. Prizes for the best floats are first place, $200; second place, $100; and third place, $50. To enter a float, contact Keitha Kerr, (580) 471-4621. Participants' dress for those riding horses is long sleeve shirts and jeans, boots or tennis shoes, or flight suits, BDUs, ABUs and boots. A free lunch will be provided at the rodeo arena for the participants who ride after the parade is over.

Any questions about the cattle drive, rodeo or parade can call Lisa Holland, 481-7213, or Tina Hilton, 318-4456.