This June, for the 58th year in a row, the Roy Pioneer Rodeo will once again draw rodeo contestants and spectators from all around the country. Ever since it began with a gas station conversation and an on-the-spot $10 donation in 1960, the Roy Pioneer Rodeo has been offering the South Sound a taste of the thrills and spills one expects from a world-class rodeo.

Sanctioned by the Idaho Cowboy Association (ICA), the National Pro Rodeo Association (NPRA), and the Washington Barrel Racing Association (WBRA), and featuring both professionals and amateurs from all across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, this year's rodeo will be awarding both All Around and Buckle Awards for the following events:

• Novice Bareback and Bareback Bronc Riding, Novice Saddle and Saddle Bronc Riding -- A bronco is a bucking horse. In this event, contestants (both pro and amateur) compete to see who can stay on a bronco the longest -- with or without a saddle.

• Bull Riding -- This is similar to Bareback Bronc Riding, only with a large, bucking bull instead of a horse, and nothing but a rope for the rider to hold on to.

• Break Away Roping -- In this event, riders on horseback compete to see who can most quickly lasso a calf.

• Calf Roping -- This event takes Break Away Roping one step further: once the calf is roped, the contestant must tie three of the calf's legs together in order to restrain it.

• Cowgirl Barrel Racing -- This event is for girls only! In it, contestants attempt to ride a horse around three barrels set up in a triangular pattern. The rider who completes the pattern in the least amount of time wins. The trick is to ride as close to the barrels as possible without bumping them or knocking them over, which can result in penalty seconds added to the time.

• Steer Wrestling -- Also known as "bulldogging," this high-risk event involves a horseback rider chasing a bull, dismounting his or her horse, and throwing the bull to the ground by grabbing his horns and pulling the bull off balance.

• Team Roping -- In this event, the only one in which men and women compete against and with each other, two-rider teams attempt to rope and tie a bull. One rider tosses the rope over the bull's head, the other rider attempts to lasso and tie the bull's legs.

The parking is free, and if watching all that Bull Riding, Calf Roping and Cowgirl Barrel Racing works up an appetite, there are food concessions on site offering hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, soda, french fries, coffee, iced tea, lemonade and ice cream. Souvenir T-shirts, hoodies, and cowboy hats will also be available for sale.

This year, the committee expects to see more than 2,000 spectators gathered at the rodeo grounds to cheer on the contestants. "We would love for everyone to come out and enjoy the Roy Rodeo," says Micki Easterly, spokesperson for the Roy Rodeo Committee.

Roy Pioneer Rodeo, noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, Roy Pioneer Rodeo Grounds, 8710 Higgins Grieg Rd., Roy, adults (13+) $12, seniors $6, children (6-12) $5, children 5 and younger are free, CASH ONLY, roy_rodeo@hotmail.com