It’s time to dust off your Stetson hat, grab the family and head out to the 124^th Silver Spurs Rodeo at the Osceola Heritage Park. The Rodeo will be held February 19-21, 2010 and ticket prices are just $15, kids 10 and under are free. Rodeo fans will be amazed by the pulse-elevating events such as bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, barrel racing and be entertained by crowd pleasing cowboy clowns. http://www.silverspursrodeo.com/

The Silver Spurs Rodeo was founded by the Silver Spurs Riding club in 1944 to promote good horsemanship in Osceola County and is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi and is annually ranked among the top 50 events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

Back in the 1500’s, when Spanish explorers landed on the coast of Florida, their ships were loaded with everything they needed to make a new territory, including the cattle. They found that crossing the watery swamps of Central Florida was treacherous and they lost a lot of cattle in the mucky waters. Despite the conditions and dangerous environment, the lost cattle actually survived and multiplied and more than 200 years later, the next settlers found the plains of the Kissimmee River Valley overrun with wild cows. It has been said that the early residents in downtown Kissimmee fenced their yards to keep the wild cows out.  These cows provided valuable food source and a way of life that remains even today.

Make your rodeo day a rodeo weekend and stay with us. The Holiday Inn Main Gate East is just minutes from the Osceola Heritage Park and just 2.5 miles from the main entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort area and across the street from Old Town shopping and entertainment complex. The 444-room, full service hotel features two high-rise towers with interior corridors, Italian tile throughout and rooms with private balconies. All rooms boost colorful and stylish triple-sheeted beds, granite countertops and high speed internet. This is a kid’s ultimate hotel! Kids love the kid’s suites, kid size swimming pool, kid’s playground, and Kids Theater. Kids play, stay and eat free at Holiday Inn Main Gate East.