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GONZALES TO HOST 18TH TJHSRA AT J.B.WELLS PARK
By BARRETT SHELTON – Performance Reporter
Junior High State finals is here with 550+/- rodeo contestants!! Gonzales is proud to host TJHSRA for the 18th year in a row. As Gonzales was the first and only city in 2005 to pick up the idea of Junior High State and it is still hosted here in Gonzales every year since then.
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The contract is up for grabs after this year and Gonzales hopes to keep Junior High State here. There are many other contestants and parents who hope it stays in Gonzales with J B Wells park being the only place in Texas with over 400 full rv hookups and the Guadalupe river within walking distance. J. B. Wells Arena will house over 900+ stalls during the week of finals. This leaves the city of Gonzales to rent over 700 stalls and tents for all the contestants. Due to the fact that J B Wells only has 200+ stalls that were built in 2003 when the arena was first built.
Many voices have all stressed the need for another arena and more stall barns. With a second arena and more stalls J. B. Wells and the City of Gonzales would have a fighting chance to keep the Junior High State contract also allowing J. B. Wells and the City of Gonzales to be able to submit a contract offer for High School State Finals.
A new arena has been discussed to be just a timed event arena. Leaving Barrel Racing and Rough Stock in the original larger arena. J. B. Wells will have to find a grant, sponsorship, donation or fundraiser to help fund a second arena.
J. B. Wells would be able to have bigger or more events just like Junior High State finals with the completion of the discussed second arena.
I personally know from other contestants, parents and all who have attended Junior High Finals how they miss the small town and accommodations, from J. B. Wells and the City of Gonzales when they are moved to Abilene the following week for High School Finals.
The history of J. B. Wells park and arena hold the most historic site for Texas, in the field, next to the river, where the first shot of the Texas Revolution began and where the famous words ``Come and Take It” were shouted.
57th Annual Burleson
