CALF_News_April_May_2018

34 CALF News • April | May 2018 • www.calfnews.net In the midst of February there was quite an event taking place, one that western Kansas has seen the likes of only once before – the 2 nd Annual Beef Empire Days Rodent Racin’ Ball. If that’s not a mouthful, I’m not sure what is. Held Feb. 17 in Garden City, there was live painting, roulette, mouse racing and a table full of crawdads and steak. With all of that going on, how could you not have a blast? Beef Empire Days (BED) is held in Garden City, Kan., each year during the first week of June. Celebrating “Beef …Any Time, Any Where!” the event features a live cattle show, carcass show, cattle working contest, a cattle crawl, the largest parade in town, beef aplenty and so much more. With over 20 events to choose from, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The best part of the week-long fiesta is that not all events are held on the same day, meaning you have the opportunity to celebrate beef all week long without feeling like you’re rushing from one event to the next. The Rodent Racing Ball is held as a fundraiser and midyear reunion for those who love all things Beef Empire Days. We were looking for a way to keep BED front of mind, even in the midst of winter, but without putting on the same old, same old fundraiser dinner. Enter the rodent race. It’s really such a unique event that appeals to the curios- ity of the cattle industry. We auctioned off 15 mice, which then competed in several heats on a specialized race track until a winner was crowned. It’s a sight to be seen for sure. Each team was in charge of naming their mouse. Creativity abounded, with names ranging from Lee to Cheese Nuts. There was also a mouse roulette table in which a mouse runs around to pick the winner. Laughter flowed through the air as friends gathered together to test their luck. Artist Bradley Chance Hays was on sight, painting a massive canvas to be auctioned off at the end of the night. It truly was amazing to watch him work through the piece of art so methodically and quickly. Hays is creating several paintings for BED that can be purchased via auction at different events during the week- long summertime cel- ebration. His watercolor works truly are one of a kind and will make an excellent addition to any art collection. The Rodent Racin’ Ball’s food was excep- tional, as well. Brought out with wheel barrows and shovels were piles of steak, crawdads, shrimp, corn and potatoes – a unique sight in southwest Kansas. It was an experience for everyone and so fun to watch the expressions of those who had not had crawdads as a main course before. Beef Empire Days has also commis- sioned commemorative belt buckles for this year’s 50th anniversary celebration. They’re a beautifully unique design that incorporates gold embellishments with ruby stones. There are only 50 available for purchase, with the fourth and fifth being auctioned off throughout the eve- ning of the Rodent Racin’ Ball. Buckles one, two and three will be auctioned off at the Sponsors’ Reception held at the Clarion Inn in Garden City on June 6. The other buckles, numbers 6-50, are available for purchase through the web- site www.beefempiredays.com . The fun and fellowship of the Rodent Racing Ball was incomparable to any other relatable events. I highly recom- mend the event to anyone who enjoys supporting a good cause without the boring and stuffy traditional fundraiser functions. As part of BED’s 50th anniversary celebration, there are several additions to the traditional event lineup. There will be a kickoff celebration concert, cow Olympics, a 2018 F-150 truck raffle, along with a resurgence of vintage clas- sics like the dance in the park. This is the year to make your plans early and count on a fun time in the Wild West. It’s about to get rowdy.  Mouse roulette was a highlight of the night. Cows, Crawdads and Rodents, This large painting was created live throughout the evening was auctioned off at the end of the night. Oh My! By Aly McClure Contributing Editor