ANGOLA PRISON RODEO

40 YEARS OF GUTS & GLORY

     The Angola Rodeo, the longest running prison rodeo in the nation, got its start in 1965.  The first arena was small, built by a handful of dedicated inmates and personnel.  It wasn't much in those days, and the rodeo was staged just for the entertainment of prisoners and employees.  But it was fun.

      The 1967 rodeo was opened to the general public on a limited basis.  There were no stands.  Spectators had to sit on apple crates and the hoods of their cars to watch the performances.

    The success of the 1967 and 1968 rodeos prompted construction of a 4,500-seat arena for the 1969 rodeo.  A near disaster occurred when the bleachers collapsed during one of the shows.  Spectators weren't alarmed; most didn't even get up.  They sat on the collapsed structure and continued to watch.  The 1971 rodeo was the wettest in history, but the show went on.

    As years passed, the rodeo grew in size, adding events and sponsorships.  The official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rules were adopted in 1972 and the rodeo became a permanent fixture. 

    The Angola Prison Rodeo is a professionally produced rodeo.  Angola contracts with professional rodeo stock contractors to provide the rodeo stock used in events; professional judges are contracted with to objectively judge each event.  In addition, to ensure inmate participant safety, professional rodeo clowns are always present in the arena during events.  A full complement of emergency services personnel are on-site to provide medical assistance to inmates and spectators.

     In 1997, spectator capacity was expanded by 1000 seats and construction of a roof over the seating area began to provide increased comfort for spectators under Louisiana's blazing October sun.  Hobbycraft space was also expanded to the point where it is no longer just a little concession area on the side for some inmate organizations to make a few bucks.  It is now an all-day full-blown arts and crafts festival, complete with entertainment and food galore.  The arts and crafts festival begins at 9 a.m. and continues throughout the rodeo which begins at 2 p.m. each Sunday in October.  Many fans come to the rodeo for the arts and crafts show alone.

    Ticket, concession, and hobbycraft sales for the next two years broke all records, prompting the administration to build another arena.  Construction began on the new stadium in April 2000 and increased capacity to 7,500.  The new stadium was completed for the first rodeo in 2000.

    What began 40 years ago as a "fun" thing by a handful of rodeo-loving inmates and employees is now big business.  Proceeds from the Angola Prison Rodeo cover rodeo expenses and supplement the Louisiana State Penitentiary Inmate Welfare Fund which provides for inmate educational and recreational supplies. 

FOUNDERS:

 Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation, Inc.

Resolution

Ratified June 21, 2002

WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation, Inc. appointed a

        Rodeo Committee to research the individual(s) responsible for founding the

        Angola Prison Rodeo;

WHEREAS, the Rodeo Committee conducted extensive research and interviews

        regarding the events and activities at the Louisiana State Penitentiary involved in

        planning/organizing the first Angola Prison Rodeo;

WHEREAS, at the conclusion of said research and interviews the Rodeo Committee

        found numerous individuals involved in the production of the first Angola Prison

        Rodeo;

WHEREAS, at its December 2001 meeting, the Rodeo Committee of the Louisiana

        State Penitentiary Museum Foundation, Inc. reported that no one specific

        individual could be identified as deserving credit as the founder of the Angola

        Prison Rodeo;

WHEREAS, the Rodeo Committee reported that several key officials, employees, and

        inmates played important parts in getting the rodeo started.

RESOLVED, the Board Members of the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum

        Foundation, acknowledge the contributions of the following individuals as having

        played a role in the first Angola Prison Rodeo, beginning in 1960.

Employees:     Claude Butler                           M. L. "Red" Norris

                            Walter Carmouche                  Dick Oliveaux

                            John Cavalier                           Jessie Simms

                            H. L. Hanchey                           Nick Skrmetta

                            C. Murray Henderson              Nolan Tollett

                            Thomas Hill                               Kermi Varnado

Inmates:           John Alhern                               James Morningstar

                           Jack Favor                                 Robert Murray

                           Clyde Giddens                           Howard Roberts

                           Charlie Hamilton                        Ron Wikberg

                           Walter Leggett

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