Festivals & roundups

Claude’s celebration of small town America begins Friday, July 13, night with a chicken chase – yes, a chicken chase and a day full of activities including free barbecue, arts and crafts and an almost hourlong parade, plus a rodeo Saturday evening.

The 87th Caprock Round Up Rodeo and Reunion really has been going since 1892, but officially is listed as 87 years, according to coordinator Liz Kendall.

“We think it’s one of the longest-running heritage festivals in Texas,” said Kendall who still has a copy of a Dallas Morning News article published on Aug., 25, 1892 headlined "Grand Old Picnic at Claude."

The celebration that has endured over 100 years and 87 officially, and once featured a best-dressed lady rider, added a new event – the Chicken Chase in 2010 when Toby Tucker (then superintendent of schools and now current athletic director for Canyon ISD) came up with a fundraising project and a way to keep the activities going two days after the rodeo was shortened to only Saturday night.

“We were looking for something for people to do on Friday night,” Kendall said. “Toby came up with this (chicken chase) when he was here and it's kept going. It’s a hoot.”

The "going" involves groups of two people who pay a $10 team fee to try to capture two chickens and bring them back to a designated place in the shortest amount of time.

“The winners get the pot,” said Tessa Waddle, president of the Claude Chamber of Commerce. “It is really funny and great fun. Anyone can sign up Friday before the contest. ”

Registration begins at the rodeo grounds east of town off Campbell Street at 6 p.m. The chicken chase starts at 7 p.m. with proceeds benefiting American Legion. Spectator donation is $5.

Friday night will also include a horseshoe tournament and mutton busting at the rodeo grounds.

On Saturday all events take place around the courthouse square downtown except the rodeo.

The day begins with vendors selling home-made articles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the parade beginning at 10 a.m. and a  barbecue at noon.

The Young Fiddlers Contest begins at 12:30 p.m. and the historic courthouse will be open all day for visitors, and the rodeo begins at 7 p.m.