By Stephen Smoot
In about the amount of time passed that it takes for a newborn child to mature, grow tall, and earn a high school diploma, that’s how long ago Matt and Jill Teets got the idea. They were out West enjoying a stock show and rodeo. Such sights and sounds regularly regaled fans and the curious out in Colorado but they asked themselves at the time, why not bring a taste of the best of the West to the best of the Virginias?
Eighteen years later, the Teets Cattle Company Bulls and Barrels Rodeo continues to bring thousands from both near and far to enjoy classic rodeo attractions in a family atmosphere.
“It’s grown a little bit since then,” shares Leanna Basye, who helps to organize the event. Over that time, the number of attractions have expanded, the facilities have continued to improve, but one thing remains the same.
She explained “it’s a family event, family-based. There’s no alcohol allowed.” Basye stated that over the years, many have tried to convince the Teets family to allow alcohol, promising larger crowds. The family, however, understands that families deserve big shows and events aimed at them and their children, too. Even the music gets carefully screened for age appropriateness.
Plus, with West Virginia consistently surveyed as one of the lowest alcohol consuming states in the Union in recent years, that argument may not hold water anyway. Basye estimates that the crowds have hovered around 4,000 in recent years. Part of the draw comes from the fact that Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association, or SEBRA, has sanctioned Bulls and Barrels as an official event. Basye noted that they have drawn top talent in recent years to the event, helping to raise its profile among fans.
“We pull people in from everywhere, Hampshire County, Virginia counties like Rockingham,” Basye stated. She also described how the business fields inquiries as early as January about the scheduling of the fair. “It’s always the weekend before Labor Day,” she said.
Raven Funkhouser has only worked at the Teets’ Butcher Block for six months, but she has caught rodeo fever as well. She said “we have all kinds of stuff for kids.”
This includes “mutton busting,” where smaller children can ride sturdy sheep in the same fashion as adults ride the bulls. Kids can also enjoy pony rides, a pig scramble, and a corn pit, which Funkhouser described as “like a sand pit, but less messy.” Entertainment for older attendees includes the classic bull rides, barrel races, and even a mechanical bull.
Basye shared that, unlike many rodeos, there is no ribaldry in the classic clown act that entertains fans between events.
One of the biggest attractions that helps to draw the thousands lies in the food. The Butcher Block serves up a complete menu sources either from Teets Cattle from across the state highway or other local farmers down the road.
“We will be doing all of our brisket options,” said Funkhouser, which includes brisket nachos, brisket sandwiches, the cowboy baked potato (topped with, what else, brisket!), brisket macaroni and cheese and more. The Butcher Block’s house barbeque sauce will be available to top the meat as well.
Basye added that the rodeo typically serves about 1,000 pounds of potatoes, 700 pounds of brisket, 600 hamburgers, and 300 hot dogs through the entire event. This year, they have ordered 27 three gallon tubs of ice cream from Smiley’s, nearby in Virginia. “Everybody loves our ribeye steak sandwich too,” shared Basye.
Attendees will also enjoy the new pavilion constructed this year to allow the events to be truly indoors, regardless of whether extremes come in the weather. Additionally Smoke Hole Caverns gift shop, a sister business to the Butcher Block, will bring its own vendor venue to the event. They will offer a wide range of rodeo appropriate options, including western wear for kids of all ages.
Both Basye and Funkhouser expressed the appreciation of the entire organization for its myriad sponsors. Basye related that the sponsorships represent a sense of shared community between the Teets enterprises and the businesses that have supported them over the years.
