Lindale, Texas -- The Lindale Shrine BullFest is a fundraiser benefiting Sharon Shrine Center, located in Tyler, Texas. Resulting in sold out performances, BullFest has proven to be one of the most popular events in East Texas; having become a tremendous success with more professional cowboys wanting to enter than can be accepted. Last year’s bull riding allowed 57 entries and denied more than 50.
The overwhelming success of BullFest is due, in part, by Stock contractor Jerald Smith of Wing Rodeo Company is well known on the pro-rodeo circuit. He has had stock entered and televised in the "PBR," movies, and the National Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cowboys are very much aware of Mr. Smith and his stock's reputation, thus bringing the top ranking bull riders to Shrine BullFest.
Saturday, October 12, the fun begins with a pancake breakfast, then a parade through downtown which continues down Hwy 69 and ends at the grounds of Lindale’s annual CountryFest celebration. CountryFest is full of good food, games & rides for the kids, music entertainment throughout the day, arts & crafts, an all day auction, and much more. If you didn’t catch any candy during the parade, don’t fret, we have all the candy you can eat and then some! Shrine BullFest along with their newest BullFest sponsor The Lindale Candy Company, will host a live remote broadcast. The crew from KMOO 99.1 will set up at 113 Hubbard Ave {Hwy 16 W} at the newly opened store, across from Lindale State Bank. Newly owned and operated by Mr. & Mrs. Terry Cochran. Lindale Candy Company is the oldest surviving business in Lindale; opening in 1946. To show their appreciation and support of BullFest, the Cochran’s have invited World Champion Bull Rider Matt Austin. Matt will be greeting visitors at the Candy Store and signing autographs. So drop by and say hello, satisfy your sweet tooth, and find out how to win free tickets to Shrine BullFest.
But the fun doesn’t end there! After CountryFest, come out to Lindale’s Championship Arena on Hwy 16 W. and get ready for the best bull riding in Texas. As the 15th annual Shrine BullFest kicks-off at 6:00 p m with the best in musicians. This year is no exception! A new sponsor to BullFest , Uptown Vapor Lounge of Tyler, will host our own hometown country boy, Casey Rivers to open Shrine BullFest.
Texas is a great big state and a lot of big blessings come out of that state. One of those is the down home, heartfelt country voice of Casey Rivers. Born and raised in Lindale, TX, he’s a country boy who isn’t afraid to have BIG dreams. The great news is, his love for GOD and family has put those dreams in motion and his tremendous talent for singing and song-writing has kept them there.
Casey and his beautiful wife, Doni, have 3 amazing children, all under the age of five. They make their home in Nashville , TN , where Casey became the 1st runner up, just a few years back, in the highly popular Nashville based talent television show, Nashville Star.
Casey has appeared with such country legends as Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Neal McCoy, Sara Evans, Jason Aldean, Big and Rich, and the Gatlin Brothers, to name a few. He has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry Stage, toured with the Nashville Star, and the list goes on. Needless to say, Casey has made a name for himself in the music world, lassoing hearts across the country and, even, across the world.
While he loves singing country music, his love for ministry is what makes everything work together as God planned it. With all the success he’s experienced, the call to honor God has never faded. In 2008 Casey joined and toured with successful Christian music group, Beyond The Ashes (BTA). The group traveled nationwide to over 200 dates per year. In that time, they saw great big, GOD-sized success, from top 10 radio singles, to a variety of awards, and, most of all, to a real, heartfelt impact in the lives of the thousands of fans they sang to.
The years with BTA were good ones, but in mid 2012, God led Casey into a new adventure. With the love and support of his family, Casey has returned to his roots as a solo artist, sharing his Texas-sized heart along with his incredible voice and musicianship, to audiences across the world. He’s singing songs that tug at the soul. Casey’s diversity and sincerity help him to carry a message worth hearing wherever God leads.
In addition to his overwhelming love for his own kids, Casey is actively involved with sharing the ministry of Compassion, Intl wherever he travels and sings. Compassion is a child sponsorship organization striving to release children from poverty, around the globe, in Jesus’ name.
So, if you’re out and about in your hometown, and you see a real nice country boy with a tremendous voice and a friendly smile, it just might be Casey. Make sure you say howdy and take a minute to get to know the one and only Casey Rivers.
So come out early to get a good seat.
The bull riding begins at 7:00 p.m. with an arena parade of the finest vehicles from Lone Star Dodge & Long Horn Ford of Mineola. Following the sponsor vehicles, you will see professional bull riders in action on some of the most notorious bulls, brought to you by more fine sponsors such as: Lindale Chamber of Commerce, NBC 56, Fox 51, , Heritage Land Bank, Cavender’s Boot City, , Dr. & Mrs. James L. Wasson, Threlkeld & Company Insurance, , Texas Rose Horse Park, Lindale State Bank, ACR Services, Tyler Welder’s Supply, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Trinity Mother Frances, Braswell Paint Co., Fleming Farm & Ranch, Cracker Barrel, Longino’s Bail Bonds, Lindale State Bank, SouthSide Bank, Kidd Jones, Whataburger, Lindale News & Times, Striping Technology, The Forum Center, Sandie’s Electronic Cigarette, Scandrill Inc., Lindale Candy Company, and Fabulous You Spa & Beauty, Smith County Constable Pct.5, Smith County Environmental Control, Denson Construction, Smith Co. Sheriff’s Off., ,just to name a few.
Gilbert’s El Charro & El Charro on the Ridge, Mexican Restaurants return as a sponsor of Shrine BullFest. The Ramirez family will once again sponsor the favorite action to BullFest: Mexican Poker. As if the bull riding action isn't enough to keep you glued to your seat, there’s Mexican Poker. This is where brave(?) cowboys hold a card game in the middle of the arena while a fighting bull thrashes about; last player left, wins the pot!
Cavender’s Boot City will once again bring Mutton Bustin' to BullFest: where kids 6 years old and under compete on sheep-back for a championship buckle. You got to see these little wranglers ride!
You can't have a bull riding without bull fighters! These guys dressed in bright shirts, ragged shorts and makeup, put their self in harms way, to rescue the cowboy from the bull when he is in danger. This year's Bull Fighter sponsor : Dr. James L. Wasson and Women’s Total Care of East Texas returns once again to support Shrine BullFest.
Once again Heritage Land Bank joins in sponsorship of Shrine BullFest 2013 as a Bucking Chute sponsor along with Lindale State Bank will host the award winning Sharon Shrine Mounted Patrol. These marvelous horsemen will be performing and doing an amazing flag presentation, during the opening of Shrine BullFest.
Ozarka Spring Water presents the wildest and the best in entertainment. This year will be exceptional with professional rodeo clown Cody Cooper. Through performing, rodeo crowds have taught Cooper what they expect and like. First, and above all else, they want to be entertained so he combines comedy with all of his acts. As a barrel clown and along with his many acts, he tries to do just that. Talent at its best, excitement, surprise and humor are part of a performance package that is hard to beat. Rodeo is a way of life for Cooper, and bringing new ideas and keeping things fresh are all part of promoting growth in rodeo for the years to come. We guarantee you will laugh yourself off your seat! So come out for bull riding at its best: great acts, clowns, food and prizes, a special raffle, and more!
Advanced tickets may be purchased at: Cavender's Boot City in Tyler, and Brookshire's, Kidd-Jones, and Fleming Farm & Ranch Supply in Lindale. Tickets will also be sold at the gate. Free tickets can be obtained from Lone Star Dodge & Long Horn Ford in Mineola, by test driving any new or used vehicle. Adult tickets are eligible for $100 gas drawing from Kidd Jones & each Child ticket has a free coupon to Whataburger. For more information contact Sharon Shrine Center at 903/ 566-2151 or Elaine Fitzgerald at 903/ 882-9476
You can check us out on FaceBook or email us @ shrinebullfest@gmail.com