BigHorn Rodeo Blog

Time is running out for you to purchase your tickets for Katrina and Michael’s “Brunch on the Range” fundraiser coming up this Sunday, June 29^th.  We are lucky as an organization to have not one, but two members of our 2008 Royalty team making plans to compete at the IGRA level. Katrina and Michael are required to do 2 fundraisers for their local charities in preparation for this competition – this is their first.  I encourage you all to make plans to attend this event.  You’ll be sure to get a delicious meal, be entertained, maybe win a prize and help out our Royalty team in their quest.

Also coming up this Saturday, June 28^th at Badlands Saloon is our fundraiser “Cowboys and Leather Go Together,” at Badlands Saloon.  We will be working in conjunction with the Winged Dragon Society for this fundraiser.  Everyone is encouraged to wear either Cowboy attire and/or Leather attire.  I’ve heard of some fun and interesting events planned so I’m sure it will be a good time.

As a fundraising team we are constantly working to come up with fun and different ways to raise money to help defer the costs of BigHorn Rodeo 2008.  If you’ve got ideas, please let us know what you’d like to see us do.  NGRA currently has more than 125 members – there should be a lot of creativity out there.  If you don’t have any ideas, please try your best come out and support what we do have planned.  There are a lot of you whom we never see… Come on out and have a good time with us and help support our community. 

The NGRA website - www.ngra.com has been updated and all is current.  Check out the calendar for upcoming events, volunteer for BigHorn Rodeo, refer a sponsor, or just drop us a line.

Darren Wernette, Mr. NGRA 2008, 1^st Runner Up

Mr. & Miss NGRA To Host “Brunch on the Range”

Mr. & Miss NGRA, Michael Judkins and Katrina (also known as Bill Trunzo) will host a Chuck Wagon “Brunch on the Range” on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. at the Focus Community Center (1140 Almond Tree Lane, Ste. 306, Las Vegas).

Proceeds from the brunch will benefit the Sin Sity Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the FOCUS Hot Meals Program, both of which will also be the beneficiaries of the net proceeds from BigHorn Rodeo to be held in September at Horseman’s Park.

Leaders from many Las Vegas organizations will serve as table hosts for the brunch and include Kandice Kane (Miss NGRA 2008 1st Runnerup), Darren Wernette (Mr. NGRA 2008 1st Runnerup), DeShannon (former Miss NGRA and Miss IGRA), Kitty Litter, Sisters from the Sin Sity Sisters, Helen Twelvetrees and Tim Conroy (FOCUS), Tago LeFlemme and Bill Warbeck (Elected Empress & Emperor of the IRSCDEI).

Service will be plated under the direction of Chef Dan Shannon. Shannon is Executive Chef of the Stirling Club, operated by the Charlie Palmer Group. Shannon began his career in 1995 at Aureole, Palmer’s famous New York eatery.

The Nevada Gay Rodeo Association proudly supports its royalty, Mr. NGRA 2008 Michael Judkins and Miss NGRA 2008 Katrina, as they begin to meet their requirements for competing for Mr. & Miss IGRA 2009. The brunch is the first of two fundraisers each will have to plan and promote.

Tickets are $40 each, and table hosts will be selling tickets for their table. For further information, contact Katrina at missngra2008@ngra.com or Michael at MrNGRA2008@ngra.com.

Mr. & Miss NGRA To Host “Brunch on the Range”

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Mr. & Miss NGRA, Michael Judkins and Katrina (also known as Bill Trunzo) will host a Chuck Wagon “Brunch on the Range” on June 29, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. at the Focus Community Center (1140 Almond Tree Lane, Ste. 306, Las Vegas).

Proceeds from the brunch will benefit the Sin Sity Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the FOCUS Hot Meals Program, both of which will also be the beneficiaries of the net proceeds from BigHorn Rodeo to be held in September at Horseman’s Park.

Leaders from many Las Vegas organizations will serve as table hosts for the brunch and include Kandice Kane (Miss NGRA 2008 1st Runnerup), Darren Wernette (Mr. NGRA 2008 1st Runnerup), DeShannon (former Miss NGRA and Miss IGRA), Kitty Litter, Sisters from the Sin Sity Sisters, Helen Twelvetrees and Tim Conroy (FOCUS), Tago LeFlemme and Bill Warbeck (Elected Empress & Emperor of the IRSCDEI).

Service will be plated under the direction of Chef Dan Shannon. Shannon is Executive Chef of the Stirling Club, operated by the Charlie Palmer Group. Shannon began his career in 1995 at Aureole, Palmer’s famous New York eatery.

The Nevada Gay Rodeo Association proudly supports its royalty, Mr. NGRA Michael Judkins and Miss NGRA Katrina, as they begin to meet their requirements for competing for Mr. & Miss IGRA 2009. The brunch is the first of two fundraisers each will have to plan and promote.

Tickets are $40 each, and table hosts will be selling tickets for their table. For further information, contact Katrina at missngra2008@ngra.com or Michael at MrNGRA2008@ngra.com.

Experience the fun of an NGRA Laughlin Bus Trip!

Sunday, June 8^th 2008

Enjoy a full day of amusement, friendship and games.  You’ll receive a free buffet at the Edgewater Hotel and Casino.  Meet new friends at the Lariat in Bullhead City.

Get aboard – you never know what’s in store! Here’s your chance to get away for the day and have some fun along the way.

We return to the Commercial Center from a fun filled day around 10:00 PM.

$25 per person includes driver gratuity

Soft Drinks, beer, jello shots, and other “adult” shots and beverages will be available for purchase on the bus.  Raffles and Bingo will also be available.

Tickets are on sale at Badlands Saloon, Spotlight, Snick’s, and Charlie’s Las Vegas.  Ask your favorite bartender to sell you one.

Hello NGRA!

Pride weekend is coming to an end.  Thanks to all of you who joined us at the Las Vegas Pride Parade and the Las Vegas Pride festival.  NGRA was well represented in both.

Our new Member at Large Brian Maley has organized an NGRA Horseback/trail ride coming up Sunday, May 18^th. We would like to extend an invitation to all members to come out and join us as we ride the Dalton Gang Adventure from Las Vegas Horseback Tours. 

This is an approximate 4 hour adventure and lunch is included in the price. The ranch is located on Interstate 15 about 45 minutes from mid strip.   We will be car pooling up and back to save gas. We will be there by 8:30 AM and should be done just after noon.  Lunch is included in the price.

You can check out the tour and lunch menu at http://www.lasvegashorsebacktours.com/lunchtour.

Normal price for this morning of horseback riding is $109.  As locals and NGRA members, we are getting a rate of $89.

Las Vegas Horseback tours require payment in advance.  You can either pay Brian in advance or contact him and he will provide the number to call to give your credit card information.  Contact Brian at bpmaley@gmail.com.

Let’s get together and enjoy a fun morning of riding!

Good morning, NGRA!

The 25^th annual Las Vegas Pride parade and festival is coming up this weekend.  NGRA will be participating in both the Parade and the Festival and we sure do hope to see you all out in support.

NGRA will be performing as a group on the main stage during the Pride festival.  We’ve chosen to do a couple of simple line dances and we’d love to have as many members join us as possible.

You say you can’t (or don’t) dance?  No worries!  Our own dance professional, Lorry King, will be teaching us a couple of simple line dances so that we can all look good.  Tonight (Wednesday) at 5:30 at Charlie’s Las Vegas, she will be available to teach us.  Dane Bethea will also be going over the same dances tomorrow (Thursday) at Charlie’s from 7-9 pm.

Your level of line dance skill doesn’t matter; we’ll take people who have never danced as well as those who are experienced.  We’ll be learning dances most if not all who attend the lessons know, or at least have seen in action.  Come on out tonight and tomorrow and let’s show Las Vegas what we’ve got!

NGRA will be participating in the Pride Parade Friday as well.  We will be marching alongside our big billboard down the parade route.  Please plan on joining us at 4^th and Coolidge by 7:30 at the latest, as the parade starts at 8:00 sharp.  Please wear your cowboy hats!  The parade route goes up 4^th street for approximately 10 blocks.  Once again, let’s show Las Vegas what we’ve got!

Friday – Las Vegas Pride Parade Downtown Las Vegas 8:00 PM

Saturday – Las Vegas Pride Festival at the Government Center 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

Two events that YOUR NGRA is participating in.  We’ve got over 125 members now – let’s make a good showing!

Happy April 1 NGRA!

It’s that time again so here I am reminding you of upcoming NGRA events planned for April as well as early May.  I certainly hope to see you all at our events and fundraisers.Las Vegas PRIDE is coming up this month, concluding with the Pride Parade on Friday, May 2, 2008 and the Pride Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2008.  NGRA is planning on being represented at both and we certainly do need the support of ALL of our members. 

We are planning on marching down the parade route alongside our mobile banner that was prominently featured at last years’ festival.  We are the premier organization in Las Vegas – let’s show them what we’ve got!

NGRA will also be staffing a booth at the 2008 Pride Festival at the Government Center.  I’m still in need of prizes that we can raffle off from the booth.  I know that many of you work for hotels, casinos, restaurants, and other businesses that have “goodies” that we can use.  Look in your closets and garages – there has got to be something there that you could part with that could make us some money for Rodeo!  Please look around and help us make this a big-time fundraiser for YOUR organization.  Contact me at flabuzz@cox.net and I’ll gladly make arrangements to take prizes off of your hands.Below is a line up of upcoming events for April.

Darren Wernette, Mr. NGRA 2008, 1^st Runner Up

·         Friday, April 11, 2008 – “Udder Time at the Beach”  Charlie’s Las Vegas, 9:30

Co presented by NGRA and the Imperial Court, this is a prequel to the annual “Miss Cow Patty” contest

·         Saturday, April 12, 2008 – “Miss Cow Patty” Contest  Charlie’s Las Vegas, 9:30

Get ready to have some fun at this camp drag event, where the butch get glamorous, dressing up and performing to outrageous and over-the-top songs. Judging will cover talent and overall “Cow Patty-ness.” The winner will be CROWNED as Miss Cow Patty, with prize money being offered. If you’re interested in being this year’s Miss Cow Patty, please contact Eddy Krien at eddyskiva@yahoo.com or (702) 328-9627.

·         Monday, January 14, 2008 - NGRA Board of Directors Meeting LGBT Center, Commercial Center, 953 East Sahara Avenue, 6:30

Join us at The Center at 6:30 p.m. for the NGRA Board of Directors Meeting

.·         Monday, April 21, 2008 – NGRA General Membership Meeting  LGBT Center, Commercial Center, 953 East Sahara Avenue, 6:30

Join the NGRA for the monthly General Membership Meeting at the Center

·         Monday, April 21, 2008 – NGRA Rodeo Planning Committee Meeting   LGBT Center, Commercial Center, 953 East Sahara Avenue, 7:30

Stick around after the general membership meeting and learn about BigHorn Rodeo 2008

·         Saturday, April 26, 2008 - Cowboy Spring Break

Badlands Saloon, Commercial Center, 953 East Sahara Avenue 9:30

Join the NGRA Royalty team as we celebrate spring with this “beach party” fundraiser and show. Shorts and beachwear encouraged. No boots? No shirts? No problem!

·         Every Friday, NGRA Appreciation Night at Charlie’s

Join your NGRA family and friends at Charlie’s.  Wear your name badge or show your ID card for drink specials.

closet-ball-85×11-08.jpg

Hello NGRA!

I’d like to make sure that you are all informed about the upcoming events that we have planned for March.  We’re planning on continuing some of the traditional NGRA events, but also plan on reaching out to you in new and innovative ways as well. We’ll keep you all posted and we hope to see you all at our upcoming events.  Keep in mind that you can always find up-to-date information at http://gayrodeoshop.com/ngra_events/month.php.

Darren Wernette  Mr. NGRA 2008, 1^st Runner Up 

·         MARCH 08, 2008 – CLOSET BALL

Charlie’s Las Vegas, 9:30 PM

This is where it started for our own Miss Katrina, Miss NGRA 2008.  A macho cowboy can be transformed into the prettiest girl this side of the Hoover Dam.  Everyone is welcome to enter this fun “competition” and, of course, everyone is invited to attend and see the magic.  For more information on entering please contact Bill Trunzo at wtrunzo@aol.com. 

·         MARCH 10, 2008 – NGRA Board of Directors Meeting

The Center, 6:30 PM

All members are welcome and invited to attend

·         MARCH 17, 2008 – NGRA General Membership Meeting The Center, 6:30 PM

All members are welcome and invited to attend. 

·         MARCH 22, 2008 – “Hang ‘Em High” Board of Directors Show

Badlands Saloon, 9:30 PM

Let the NGRA Board of Directors entertain you at this fun show and fundraiser

·         MARCH 29, 2008 – A DAY AT DISNEYLAND WITH NGRA

A Chartered bus will leave Charlie’s Las Vegas at 5 AM sharp.
$40 covers the COST OF THE BUS RIDE TO ANAHEIM. Each individual pays their own entrance fee into Disneyland, Disney California, or a combined park-hopper pass.
The bus will leave Disneyland at 10 PM. Soda and water will be available on the ride going down; beer and other adult beverages will be available on the ride home. No alcohol or drinking is allowed in either park. We will return back at Charlie’s between 2 and 3 AM.
There will be a 30 minute stop in Barstow both ways.
Bus tickets are available at Charlie’s; Badlands, Snicks, and Spotlight should have them soon.
For additional Information, please contact Tom Coleman at mrngra2007@yahoo.com .

·         EVERY FRIDAY – NGRA APPRECIATON NIGHT

Charlie’s Las Vegas

Hang out with your NGRA family and enjoy drink specials with your name badge or membership card.