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HICKORY HOUSE TO SERVE FAMOUS RIBS

AT SNOWMASS RODEO THIS SEASON

The Snowmass Rodeo launches its 35th or 36th season next week (depending on

how you count) with the first rodeo Wednesday, June 18 at the Snowmass Rodeo Grounds

in Snowmass Village. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the rodeo starts at 7 p.m. A new food

vendor, new attractions and new souvenir merchandise will be added this year to the

already packed slate of activities that take place every Wednesday through the summer with

the last rodeo on Aug. 20.

The Hickory House restaurant and caterer, based in Aspen, will serve as the food

vendor at the Snowmass Rodeo this summer, providing their famous ribs and chicken under

the BBQ tent, with veteran rodeo performer Twirp Anderson singing to the diners. The

Snowmass Rodeo menu will offer the choice of a full dinner of ribs and chicken, with sides

of baked beans, cole slaw and au gratin potatoes, or a sandwich package that includes either

a chicken or beef sandwich and the same side dishes. The full dinner is priced at $18 and

the sandwich is $9. Both include beverages and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. The

Hickory House will also offer a kids' meal for $5 for those 10 and under. Children 10 and

under are admitted free to the rodeo.

"We're excited about expanding into Snowmass Village and being a part of the

Snowmass Rodeo," said Paul Dioguardi, Hickory House owner.

The restaurant has operated in Aspen since 1988 and is known for its barbecued

baby back ribs, imported from Denmark. Hickory House, which also operates a restaurant

in Parker, CO, has won dozens of national and international rib cook-off competition

awards.

Dioguardi, who started in the rib business 20 years ago, traveling the country competing

in BBQ rib competitions, bought the Hickory House 10 years ago. Over the years

they have won 43 competitions for their ribs and BBQ sauce.

The restaurant is a favorite of visitors and locals alike and has drawn attention from celebrities,

such as Oprah who showcased the Hickory House ribs on one of her favorite foods segments.

Last year a mechanical bull was added to the attractions at the rodeo that also include pony rides

and steerhead roping. This year will feature a big inflated bouncy horse, ideal for small toddlers or those

too timid to take on the bull. The steerhead roping practice area now features new steer dummies, replacing

the old hay bales and steer heads, along with special children-sized ropes.

Vendors will once again include Collections, offering women's western apparel and other items,

and Wienerdog Kids Toys with western and retro toys. Both have stores on Snowmass Mall. The

Wienerdog booth will also feature a pop gun shooting contest.

A third booth will offer Snowmass Rodeo souvenir merchandise including bean bag horses with

Snowmass Rodeo bandannas, kids' ropes, books on the western lifestyle and people in the valley and

bandannas with the Snowmass Rodeo logo.

The Snowmass Rodeo, produced by the Snowmass Western Heritage Association, starts

Wednesday June 18 and continues through the summer every Wednesday evening until August 20. Rodeo

ticket prices are $16 for adults, $10 for youths 11-15, with children 10 and under admitted free. There is

also a VIP section closer to the bucking chutes and with a better view of the action. VIP tickets are $25

for adults, $15 for youths 6-15, with children 5 and under free and include a souvenir stadium cushion.

Rodeo gates open at 5 p.m. for pre-rodeo activities including the BBQ which ends at 7 p.m. The

sandwich package will be available throughout the evening. A full bar also opens at 5 p.m. and closes at

9:30 p.m.

The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. and includes team roping, dally ribbon roping, bareback bronc and

saddle bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing. The rodeo concludes about 8:30 p.m. and is followed

by singing and roasting marshmallows around a campfire.

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