On July 4, Parker Ranch cowboys will be joined by other Big Island paniolo for three hours of rodeo.

Joining island cowboys for the first time will be cowboys from Warren Ranch in Wyoming. The connection between Hawai'i and Wyoming was established in 1908, when John Palmer Parker's great grandson Ikua Purdy made history at Cheyenne Frontier Days. In 56 seconds, he won the world roping championship and put Hawai'i's paniolo on the map.

The special invitation to this year's rodeo was extended to Warren Ranch by Parker Ranch in recognition of that event, which will be fully celebrated during the Waiomina Celebration being planned by the Paniolo Preservation Society. Warren Ranch, founded more than a century ago is, like Parker Ranch in Hawai'i, one of the oldest ranches in its home state of Wyoming.

On the rodeo schedule: horse races, team branding, ranch mugging, and dally team roping along with food and keiki activities.

As part of this year's July 4th Rodeo festivities the Parker Ranch Paniolo Song Contest winning song will be performed by Ekolu Mea Nui. Big Island's KAPA Hawaiian Radio Station partnered with Parker Ranch to solicit song writers for a song depicting Big Island paniolo history, culture and place names. Song CDs will be available for purchase at the rodeo.