Preparations Underway for Days of '47 Rodeo

Coco Warner ReportingThe Days of 47' celebration wouldn't be complete without the World Championship Rodeo. Every night this week, cowboys and cowgirls are competing for nearly 200-thousand dollars in prize money.

Crews are preparing for tonight's events, and that includes getting all of the animals in the Delta Center. On tonight's program there will be bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and what many consider to be a highlight from the rodeo, entertainment from the rodeo clown.

Dave Burdette, Days of '47 Rodeo: "There's my retirement plan, when these fit, I quit."

But right now, Mark Swingler is having too much fun; he's been a pro rodeo clown since 1993. He says his switch from bull-fighter to barrelman means a lot fewer trips to the hospital.

Mark Swingler Pro Rodeo Clown: "I took quite a bit of hits back when I was fighting bulls, and so barrel work is a lot safer."

The barrel is also known as the island of safety. Beyond entertaining the crowd, Mark also needs to protect the bull riders."

Mark Swingler, Pro Rodeo Clown: "That barrel that we use in bull riding, it's out there for a reason. Those guys can't get to the fence, they got a bull right on them, they can run behind that barrel, buy a little extra time, hide, whatever."

But the biggest job perk is entertaining the crowd. A car plays a major part in Mark's act, but that's all we can tell you.

Mark Swingler: "We do a skit with it, a clown act."

You'd think the life of a rodeo clown may be a bit lonely, but Mark works mostly through the summer months, so his family can travel with him. And he's created his own family on the road.

Mark Swingler: "I wouldn't trade it for the world. My best friends are all over in this business and I can't imagine going through life without them. It's been great."

This is Mark's first Days of 47' Rodeo. He says he's been very impressed and is having a great time.

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