You can't keep a good rodeo down

DAYTON-The Dayton Days rodeo returns to the Dayton Fairgrounds this Memorial Day Weekend. The event's future was uncertain after a dispute between Dayton Days, Inc. board members resulted in a schism in leadership. The nonprofit has hosted the rodeo since it was formed in 1966.

Before the split, "Dayton Chronicle" owners, Loyal and Charlotte Baker, served as president and secretary of the nonprofit. They say they still represent the organization which elected new board members. Deanna Vandever, the treasurer before the split, is now president of what she maintains is the real Dayton Days Inc. board, claiming the Bakers verbally resigned.

As the dispute over control of the nonprofit and the rodeo is unresolved, access to funds in the Dayton Days Inc. bank account at Banner Bank in Dayton was frozen. In March, the Columbia County commissioners approved Loyal Baker's request to use the county fairgrounds and $2,700 in hotel/motel funds to promote their rodeo.

In that commissioners meeting, Vandever and her board's secretary, Wanda Baldwin, said the Bakers could hold a Memorial Day rodeo but asked that they not use the name "Dayton Days."

The Memorial Day weekend celebration is now the Historic Dayton Days Jackpot Rodeo and Parade. The rodeo will open at the Dayton Fairgrounds on Friday, May 23, at 6 p.m. and continue at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. It will feature the events that have made it one of the most popular events in Columbia County. There will be bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, and there will be Mutton Bustin' for the future wranglers, five and under.

Junior rodeo events for 14 and under include barrel racing, steer riding, and breakaway roping.

There will be local food vendors at the fairgrounds, including the Dayton Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.

The Port of Columbia will host the Spring Flea Market at Fairground's Pavilion and Youth Building, offering vintage treasures, handmade crafts, and other great deals from local vendors and artists. The pavilion will also feature the artwork by Dayton Elementary School students who participated in the Historic Dayton Days coloring contest. The winning entries will receive awards and prizes.

On Saturday morning, the Young Life and Wyldlife youth will serve a hearty Cowboy Breakfast with biscuits and gravy to earn money for summer camp. Breakfast is from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Cornerstone Christian Church at 3rd and Main.

After biscuits and gravy, it's time to line Main Street for the Historic Dayton Days Parade at 10 a.m., sponsored by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. The parade includes local floats and riders celebrating the history of Dayton Days and the community that supports it.