Saddle up for this weekend’s rodeo

By Leslie Moses

Staff Writer

It’s not everyday you get to be a cowboy, but this weekend’s rodeo at the Fairgrounds makes a way.

“Basically cowboys and the livestock that you can see on TV, that’s what we bring to Newberry,” says Ed Doolittle, who with wife Vana head the Cross Creek Rodeo.

The event opens its 11th Newberry Pro Rodeo Classic for what Ed Doolittle says is “the largest ticketed event in Newberry.”

Out of those 11 years, tickets sold out the last six, he says.

Eight main events headline the Friday—Saturday show:”

—Bareback riding

—Saddle bronc riding

—Calf roping

—Steer wrestling

—Girls breakaway roping

—Team roping

—Girls barrel racing

“And of course, bull riding,” says Ed Doolittle.

As far as the weekend highlight, Ed Doolittle will not pin down just one top event.

“The highlight is the whole rodeo itself,” he says.

Youth through senior citizens will enjoy it, he says, and a “kids calf scramble” allows children to try their hand at a youth-style rodeo: a ribbon is tied around a calf’s tail and if the children get the ribbon off the calf’s tail, they get a prize.

Part of the proceeds go to Friendly Fire Department, says Ed Doolittle. Boys Farm boys also received free tickets for the youth there to enjoy the event.

“Come and be prepared to have the thrill of your life at the rodeo,” says Ed. Doolittle.

Call (803) 637-9391 for more information.

Discounted tickets are available at Newbery’s Tractor Supply throughout the event.

Adult tickets cost $14 at the gate and $10 at Tractor Supply. Children’s tickets cost $8 at the gate or $5 at Tractor Supply.

Gates open Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and performances begin at 8 p.m. each day.

Wrestlers help saints fight for church

By Cindy Pitts

Staff Writer

A local church is holding a fight in order to fight to save their church.

Saint Matthew Baptist is holding a pro wrestling match on Saturday in an effort to raise funds for their church.

Pastor Eldred Haynes says the church has a small congregation with a lot of elderly people on fixed incomes and needs money to help pay the church’s bills.

In fact, the church building recently fell down, leading to the congregations need to raise even more than money.

While the event is a pro wrestling fight, Haynes says he hopes the event will be a draw for local youth. He adds the fighters will discuss drug and gang awareness with the youth during the fight.

“The wrestlers will teach them how to stay out of situations,’ said Haynes.

The fight will be held at Triangle Activity Center at the intersection of Boundary Street and Dennis Dairy Road and the cost for admission is $10.

The featured wrestlers will be famous names in wrestling like The Boogie Woogie Man, Waging Bull and many more.

The 6 p.m. event offers fun for the entire family.

For more information contact 321-0777 or 276-4657.

The Berries to rock concert in the park series Friday night

By Leslie Moses

Staff Writer

The Berries, “Newberry College’s original faculty rock ‘n’ surf band,” will roll out the rock Memorial Park at 7 p.m. Friday as part of this summer’s “Concert in the Park” series.

The free weekly summer event showcases local entertainers.

Members of The Berries include four Newberry College faculty members, three Newberry College alumni and a current student.

The group collectively draws their musical inspiration from the surf-music bands, garage bands and one-hit wonders who rocked American am-radio airwaves before the British Invasion.

“They just really enjoy performing and that is probably the band the most surprises come out of because you never know what they’re going to play,” says Deborah Smith, Opera House executive director.

The group is also known to play popular music, rock, and you might get a little bit of country, Smith says. “Whatever the mood of The Berries hits them.”

Described by one reviewer as “five teachers, four kids, three chords, and an attitude,” The Berries will entertain you with both original songs and their own special Newberry-flavored arrangements of classic hits from the golden age of rock and roll.

As Dr. Warren Moore, the band’s drummer, says, “We want people to hear the lost music of the 1960s, even if it’s our own cheesy version!”

Every show is a beach party for The Berries, so bring blankets, lawn chairs, cool drinks, and your entire family to Memorial Park for a celebration of the good-time rock-and-roll sounds of summer in Newberry.

For more information, call the Newberry Opera House Box Office at 276-6264, or visit online at www.newberryoperahouse.com.

For more information about The Berries, Newberry College’s Original Faculty Rock ‘n’ Surf Band contact Larry “Goofy Foot” Ellis at larry.ellis@newberry.edu or at 321-5229.