Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo Underway in Kennewick

Its called the Best Week of Summer in South Central Washington.  The Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo got underway in Kennewick Tuesday, and runs through Saturday.

This year’s Queen Elyse Villaseñor says rodeo, much like agriculture is at an interesting crossroads.  She said for the sport to grow and attract a younger audience, she and others must think outside of the box, which typically means social media.

“To get people interested in rodeo who have never been, you have to make it look exciting in a 15 second video just to meet those time spans that the younger generation has.  Being able to show that image of what the whole rodeo experience is like in a small clip or even just a picture, is really, really interesting.”

Villaseñor who started 4-H at the age of 11, says she never pictured herself as rodeo royalty.  She said she was able to do it thanks to the encouragement of her family and others in the industry.  For those young women thinking of trying to become a rodeo queen in the future, she says go for it.

“It’s not just the rodeo, its being the best version of myself and inspiring kids to be the best that they can be.”

Villaseñor will attend Columbia Basin College this fall, and plans to compete for the Miss Teen Rodeo title this October.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com