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August 10, 2020
Cattle-drive cancelled, rodeos move forward
By Jessica Nohealapa'ahi Goode
The Bandera Prophet
Despite the recent announcement that the annual Labor Day parade has been cancelled, Bandera Round-Up event planners say the show must go on. Exhibits scheduled on the courthouse lawn, and rodeos planned for Saturday and Sunday nights are moving full steam ahead.
Following a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 6, with Round-Up event planners, City of Bandera Mayor Suzanne Schauman announced Friday via social media that she would not allow the cattle drive and parade to proceed.
“I want to express my sincere apologies to all the people who have worked so hard to try to come up with a a viable safety plan,” Schauman said in a letter. “I did not feel that there was any way the plan could be executed effectively… I based my decision on the threat to the public health and safety that a large gathering could cause… We might want to try to go on with a normal life, but let’s face it, a pandemic is not normal… The threat is all around us these days and I could not approve an event which could possibly bring hundreds of people to town.”
Schauman told the Prophet that the decision fell on her, not city council, in accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order.
“It’s the mayor’s obligation to see to the health and welfare of the public,” she said.
Schauman said she did not have an issue with the smaller events planned around town, including shows and exhibits on the courthouse lawn Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“My concern was the crowds that a parade would bring,” Schauman said.
The Western Artist Round-Up Exhibit Opening and Reception on Friday night is pending, according to Frontier Times Museum Executive Director Rebecca Huffstutler Norton.
The Bandera ProRodeo Association will present a Ranch Rodeo on Saturday night, Sept. 5, and a Women's Ranch Rodeo and Kid's Mutton Bustin’ on Sunday night, Sept. 6.
“We have received overwhelming support and are looking forward to these events,” Bandera ProRodeo Association President Janna Lindig said.
Following a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 6, with Round-Up event planners, City of Bandera Mayor Suzanne Schauman announced Friday via social media that she would not allow the cattle drive and parade to proceed.
“I want to express my sincere apologies to all the people who have worked so hard to try to come up with a a viable safety plan,” Schauman said in a letter. “I did not feel that there was any way the plan could be executed effectively… I based my decision on the threat to the public health and safety that a large gathering could cause… We might want to try to go on with a normal life, but let’s face it, a pandemic is not normal… The threat is all around us these days and I could not approve an event which could possibly bring hundreds of people to town.”
Schauman told the Prophet that the decision fell on her, not city council, in accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order.
“It’s the mayor’s obligation to see to the health and welfare of the public,” she said.
Schauman said she did not have an issue with the smaller events planned around town, including shows and exhibits on the courthouse lawn Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“My concern was the crowds that a parade would bring,” Schauman said.
The Western Artist Round-Up Exhibit Opening and Reception on Friday night is pending, according to Frontier Times Museum Executive Director Rebecca Huffstutler Norton.
The Bandera ProRodeo Association will present a Ranch Rodeo on Saturday night, Sept. 5, and a Women's Ranch Rodeo and Kid's Mutton Bustin’ on Sunday night, Sept. 6.
“We have received overwhelming support and are looking forward to these events,” Bandera ProRodeo Association President Janna Lindig said.