RODEOS AND MORE

The Dub Day Arena, located in the Upton County seat of Rankin, is a routine gathering place for area residents. The park, community center, and giant shade structure host annual events like the All Kid’s Rodeo and the World Championship Barbados Cookoff. The cookoff features vendors selling goods like funnel cakes, chocolate-covered bacon, and Sno-cones as well as hand-made goods like wrought iron designs and wooden porch swings. Musical entertainment, a rodeo and a Scramble Golf tournament all take place alongside the cookoff competition.

Rankin, named for F. E. Rankin in honor of one of the earliest area ranchers to arrive in the region, was founded in 1911. Despite the late date (compared to many regions in the state), Rankin is still the oldest town in the county. Predominantly a ranching community, Rankin benefited from the oil boom of the 1920s courtesy of the discovery of the Santa Rita, McCamey and Yates oil fields nearby. Today, Rankin celebrates its rural, hometown style with picnics, family get-togethers, and celebrations at its Dub Day Arena.