The Odessa Chamber of Commerce Rodeo has a long and successful history. It began in 1988, and was originally organized by the Jack Brown family of Odessa. The following year the Odessa Chamber of Commerce was asked to sponsor the rodeo and it has grown each year since. From 1994 through 2010, the Odessa Rodeo Chairman was Mr. Russ Shakeshaft. His timeless effort and continuous dedication has helpe
d make the Odessa Rodeo now one of the top rodeos in the State of Missouri. From 2011 to 2018 the rodeo head chairperson was Cathy (Brown) Thompson and the current head chairperson is Kelsey Legate, Cathy’s daughter, keeping the tradition of the Odessa Rodeo “in the family”. The rodeo is sanctioned by the United Rodeo Association (URA) and the Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association (MRCA). It was originally a two-night rodeo until 1995, when it was expanded to three nights. From 1999 through 2007, a Kids Night was held, with the goal of exposing kids to the sport of rodeo. Beginning in 2008, the kids events are held as a part of the rodeo itself, helping to attract even more young people from Odessa and the surrounding communities. Since 2011, the Odessa Rodeo is once again a two-night rodeo in order to increase our efforts toward making the Odessa Rodeo a “must see” community event. The Odessa Rodeo also features one of the finest rodeo queen contests in the State of Missouri. Many of the girls who have participated in this competition have gone on to compete and win titles at the state level. The current stock contractor for the rodeo is Six Crowns Rodeo Co., of Lincoln, Missouri. The rodeo is held in Dyer Park, which features a well-maintained and safe rodeo arena, ample parking and a large concession stand. Due to the high quality of stock, grounds and competition, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Championship Rodeo attracts over 5,000 regional spectators to Odessa each year, as well as countless cowboy and cowgirl competitors from several states
