Silver Spurs Rodeo marks 80 years of tradition this weekend
An Osceola County tradition celebrates 80 years this weekend, honoring the region’s agricultural history with cowboys on horseback and traditional rodeo events.
The 152nd Silver Spurs Rodeo lands at Osceola Heritage Park Feb. 15-18, celebrating the continuation of an event that dates back to 1944. At the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi, visitors can witness bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping and more during four showcases of “dirt-pounding action.”
Sara Berlinsky, the rodeo’s big boss, recalled the Silver Spurs’ history ahead of this weekend’s event, which is themed “Tradition Rides On.”
“For our first rodeo, the price of admission was a war bond to support the war effort,” she said of the club’s origins around World War II. “It was a group of ranchers that got together over their love of riding. They first met in 1941 and then the first rodeo was held in 1944. Through the years, they’ve continued to give back to the community.”
Many members of the team come from the same families who started the rodeo 80 years ago.
Silver Spurs has given back to various community organizations as a nonprofit, donating time and nearly $100,000 since 2020. On one night this weekend, funds raised will support the Lifeboat Project, which aims to end human trafficking in Central Florida.
On Sunday, Berlinsky will help to oversee an outreach effort that has proven popular since it began about two decades ago.
“On Feb. 18, we will hold the Silver Spurs Special Rodeo. We have 96 special needs kids registered. They get a cowboy hat, a bandana, a shirt and a bag full of goodies,” she said. “They get to pair up with a cowboy or a rodeo queen, and they do a little rodeo of their own. They get to run mock barrels on a horse, and they get to ride a little bucking bull.”
The 152nd rodeo will include contestants from all over the world, including Brazil, Mexico and Canada, competing for a total of $77,000 in cash. Fans can also witness the quadrille, a rodeo staple in Osceola County which is described as “square dancing on horseback.” The team will appear fresh from a trip to Pasadena, California, where they rode in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.
Even as the region has grown and, in some areas, transitioned away from agricultural roots, the Silver Spurs Rodeo continues to entertain generations of fans and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
“Osceola County has changed so much. It used to be known for agriculture, and now it’s a lot more diverse. We’re excited to show rodeo and that culture to new people,” Berlinsky said. “It’s a good family event.”
If you go
The 152nd Silver Spurs Rodeo is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at 1875 Silver Spur Lane in Kissimmee. During the first-ever family night, Feb. 15, tickets are general admission at $15-$20 each or free for Osceola County students and children ages three and younger. For the events Feb. 16-18, tickets have assigned seating with $25 for silver or $35 for gold. Children ages 4-10 cost $15 each; children ages three and younger are free. For more information, visit silverspursrodeo.com.
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