For more information:

Jeff Faltus

Ellensburg Rodeo Spokesman

509-899-0597

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ellensburg Rodeo Installs New Seating
Rodeo Fans Will Have Better Views, Convenient Access

Ellensburg, Wash. (July 5, 2007) - Ellensburg Rodeo fans will get a big treat this year with more seating and better views inside the Rodeo Arena at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds.

This week the Rodeo began tearing down a set of bleachers to make way for a new seating area that will not only fit more people, but give them much better views of the Rodeo Arena and easier access to their seats.

"This is part of an ongoing effort to give the Rodeo Arena more of a stadium-type feel and make it more intimate," said Rodeo Spokesman, Jeff Faltus. "It will be an excellent spot to see the grand entry."

The new seats will be installed on the southeast corner of the arena, and will go directly across the track. They will seat 884 people, creating an increase of 84 seats.

"Now with the seats across the track, it will really tighten things up and make it look better. It will also improve the sound quality for the whole arena," Faltus added. "On a sellout day, people in the old seating area were removed from the action. Now the grand entry will run right in front of them."

These new seats, to be completed in time for this year's Rodeo, will consist primarily of bleachers, however, there will also be 125 stadium-style seats. It will create a new access way from the north side of the arena, making it much easier for patrons to move to and from their seats, said Kelly Schademan, a Rodeo board member and facilities manager.

The old seats are being removed this week, and construction on the new ones will begin immediately, Schademan added. The area will be ready to go just in time for the Rodeo, which kicks off Aug. 31 and attracts thousands of fans.

The Rodeo will run until Sept. 3, in conjunction with the Kittitas County Fair. Each year top notch Rodeo competitors win more than $250,000 in cash prizes. It's one of the largest and oldest rodeos in the West, and is a major tourism draw for Kittitas County.

The recently-added Western Village provides Rodeo fans with lots of extra amenities as well, including shopping, refreshments, food and historical Rodeo displays.

Tickets are still available for many of the Rodeo's events, and can be purchased inside its office, located in the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, at 609 N. Main St.

Call (509) 962-7831, or (800) 637-2444 for more information. Also check out the Rodeo's Web site at www.ellensburgrodeo.com.