A Bit of the American West Comes to Pennsylvania

Cowboys and cowgirls from all over the U.S. and Canada will ride into Benton, Pa. this weekend for what has been called the best rodeo east of the Mississippi River. That’s right, you don’t have to travel to Texas to see a professional rodeo show! Less than two hours' drive northwest of the Lehigh Valley, the 27th Annual Benton Rodeo is being held through July 17, and it promises to be a hoot and a holler.

If you thought all the cowboys had retired to greener pastures, you are quite mistaken. They're alive and well, as you'll see at the rodeo, where cowboys and cowgirls will demonstrate their ranching skills during the Championship Rodeo and Bull-a Rama.

Expect to see a lot of adrenaline-pumping action, as cowboys attempt to ride 1,000 pound bucking broncos and 1,800 pound Brahma bulls for up to eight seconds or as long as they can hold on. These animals are huge, and if you can imagine them traveling at 30 miles per hour while jerking you up and down, try to imagine how hard it would be to wrestle a steer or a rope a calf while that's happening. 

Many of the vendors and events at the rodeo fundraise for local charities, service groups, fire companies, ambulance associations, Scouts and churches.

On Saturday morning, visitors can enter the Rodeo Run. Registration is $14 for the 6-mile run and $12 for the Fit Walk. A 3.5-mile Walk and Kids Fun Run is $8 to enter. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.

Following the run is the Kids Roundup, with free activities, a petting zoo and lunch provided to all children with special needs and their guests. During the roundup, funds will be raised to benefit the Danville Child Development Center, E.O.S. Riding Center, Camp Victory and Little People of America.

Admission to the Rodeo Fairgrounds is free, with doors open from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The weekend schedule is as follows: 

• Friday: Entertainment by Tommy Guns Band, 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Championship Rodeo, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday: Rodeo Run for Leukemia Cure, 8:00 a.m.
  • Special Kids Roundup, 10:00 a.m.
  • Entertainment by Frank Wicher Band, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday: Entertainment by Tune Master (DJ), 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Bull-a-Rama, 7:30 p.m.

Adult admission to the Rodeo and Bull-o-Rama is $14 for reserved seating or $12 general admission. Children ages 4 to 12 pay $11 reserved seating or $9 general admission. Children under 3 are free. The Benton Rodeo Fairgrounds are located at the intersection of Mendenhall Lane and Route 487 (Main Street) in Benton, Columbia County.

After enjoying the rodeo festivities, you'll need a comfortable place to rest and perhaps use as a base while taking in some local attractions. And The Mattress & Muffin Inn, at 240 Main Street in Benton, is so much more than its understated title suggests.

Located in the heart of Benton, the inn is a convenient base for antiquing at the Bakery Complex or Country Cupboard, and it's just a stone’s throw from Ricketts Glen State Park, where you can enjoy many outdoor activities.

The inn's spacious bedrooms, including the Princess Di Rose Room and the Elizabeth Taylor Suite, are individually decorated with antique furnishings and contemporary bathroom fixtures. While only two rooms have cable TV, all rooms have wireless Internet access. Room rates are based on double occupancy and range from $85 to $125 per night. 

Everyone should enjoy the breakfast especially prepared for guests by Sharon and Dan, your hosts for the weekend. With a variety of fruit, yogurt, ginormous fresh-baked muffins, bacon and eggs cooked to order available, you just might have trouble saving room for the funnel cake and corn dogs at the rodeo!