Optimist hope to rope rodeo for Moorefield

The Moorefield Optimist Club is hoping to bring a rodeo to the community this summer.

Councillor Neil Driscoll advised Mapleton Council of the club’s plans at the Jan. 8 council meeting.

“We’re trying to get something together to put Moorefield, if not Mapleton, on the map and give us something to do one weekend in July,” said Driscoll.

Driscoll noted the Optimists are heading up the effort, which will involve other organizations and individuals from the community.

“We’re looking for a group of about 100 volunteers,” he pointed out.

Driscoll explained the community’s role would be to provide the facility and volunteers and attract an established rodeo organization to hold one of the events on its circuit.

Driscoll brought up the rodeo plans after public works director Larry Lynch asked council how they wished to handle disposition of the old light standards from the Moorefield ball park.  Lynch reported that eight poles had recently been advertised for sale, attracting only two bids the highest of which was $122 for “the entire lot.”

Council directed Lynch to keep the poles, noting they might be useful for an event such as the rodeo.