Submitted photo In the early years of the Gerry Rodeo, music was provided by a live band. Today it’s done electronically.

GERRY — Change is always inevitable for everything, but one thing has never changed and that is the determination of the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department to bring the best in family entertainment in professional rodeo to Western New York for the past 81 years.

Each year the rodeo committee meets monthly to find ways to improve this event in spite of rising costs. Everyone understands that the price of everything has risen over the past several years, and the fire department is faced with tens of thousands of dollars in increases for the stock contractor, announcer, specialty act, utilities, repairs, advertising and food. Tom Atwell, rodeo chairman, emphasizes that the cost of this event with its more than two hours of exciting rodeo action and a once-a-year unique barbecue beef dinner is only a fraction of attending a “big name” concert or a pro sports event.

Other changes over the years include the arrival of the stock by modern semis rather than railroad cars and herded down Route 60 to the rodeo grounds. Bleachers holding 3,500 fans have replaced the borrowing of bleachers from area schools and renting of lights. The dining hall has been refurbished and air conditioned. The music is now electronically produced, replacing the live band consisting of volunteers. A huge electronic screen allows the fans to see closeups and replays. The parking and camping areas have been enlarged with nearly 100 RVs camping on the grounds. The midway now holds more than 20 vendors with all types of food and souvenirs.

Kids are not forgotten as face painting, hair tinsel, games and a chance to meet the cowboys and cowgirls to get autographs and photos are available. On Saturday at 4 p.m., kids ages 3-8 will be able to join a free kids rodeo, dress in cowboy/cowgirl clothes, and play rodeo-related games in the arena supervised by rodeo personnel.

Atwell says that one thing has never changed and that is the beef barbecue dinner with beef cooked outdoors for eight hours over wood fires and served with deep fried potatoes, gravy, salad, corn, cottage cheese, ice cream, a drink and the famous secret barbecue sauce, the secret of which has been kept secret for all 81 years. Plus, there is no tax or tips.

Fans should remember that when they attend the rodeo, they are helping to keep our area safer as all proceeds go to the Gerry Volunteer Fire Department, which answers approximately 250 EMS and fire calls each year.

This, at 81 years, is now the longest consecutively running rodeo east of the Mississippi and had repeatedly voted as the “Cowboys’ Favorite Rodeo” in the First Frontier Circuit. All contestants are professionals, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assn. and they come from more than 30 states to compete for $50,000 in prize money. Tickets are now available on the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org or by phone at 716-985-4847. The biggest change for this year is that tickets are date-specific because of safety concerns due to overcrowding on some nights. The rodeo is scheduled for four performances, Aug. 5-8, at 8 p.m. The midway and dinners open at 5 p.m.