DURANT, Okla. -- The Durant Roundup Club announced two contestants are vying to be named the new queen for the club. They are busy selling chances on $500 as well as tickets to the rodeo and memberships for the club. The rodeo will be held July 18-19.

Ladies signed up are Laurie Jo Tadlock and Rebecca Southerland. The winner will be crowned by last year’s winner Christian Chaney on Saturday, July 19, at the rodeo.

Laurie Jo Tadlock, 24, works at Advanced Care Medical Equipment. Her family, the Willinghams of Coleman, has been involved in raising horses for quite some time, and Laurie has always enjoyed riding. After graduating from Coleman High School, she received a degree in medical transcription from Collin County Community College. Her parents are Donna Owens and Jimmy Tadlock, and she is engaged to Mark Moody.

Rebecca Southerland, 9, is the daughter of Sharon Southerland. She will enter the 4th grade at Durant Intermediate School in the fall. Rebecca loves taking horseback riding lessons from Sam Gill and playing with her five-month old filly. Her hobbies are belly dancing and raising dogs. She volunteers for Durant Main Street and is a big help to her grandmother. She does chores to pay for her riding lessons.

All the popular events will be part of the rodeo, and each night will feature special performances by the All American Cowgirl Chicks. The two-day rodeo is sanctioned by the UPRA and CRRA.

Club President Chuck Varner wants to be sure the production is top notch. “Wing Rodeo Company will provide the stock and produce the rodeo. There will be $400 added money for each event. This should attract all the top cowboys competing in the regional circuits.”

Durant Main Street and the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce are coordinating Western Week. Best Dressed Business and Best Display contests will get businesses and customers ready for the rodeo.

A special night of Music on Market Square will feature various artists and is planned for Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m. The parade will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m. in Downtown Durant.

Calf scrambles will be held each night of the rodeo. Family and individual memberships are on sale for $15 and $25 respectively and include admission to rodeo.

More information can be obtained at the Durant Main Street office by calling 924-1550.