By Gary Barlow

Staff writer

The 11th annual Windy City Rodeo takes place Aug. 25-26 at the Six Guns Ranch and Arena in south suburban Crete, with associated events starting the night of Aug. 23.

Sponsored by the Illinois Gay Rodeo Association, the rodeo draws participants and spectators from all over the United States. Preliminary events include the annual FAHOOTCHED Bar Crawl, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Aug. 23. A welcoming party takes place the next evening at 9 p.m.

The ranch is at 26926 S. Stateline Road in Crete, about 45 minutes from Chicago. Shuttle buses are also available Saturday and Sunday to ferry spectators from Chicago, leaving at 10 a.m. and returning at 7 p.m. A roundtrip ticket is $25.

Here’s the lineup for the weekend:

Aug. 25

• Front Gate opens at 9 a.m.
• Rodeo Slack Events: 11 a.m. (if needed)
• Grand Entry: noon
• Rodeo Performance: 1-5 p.m.
• Dancing/Entertainment: 1-7 p.m.

Aug. 26

• Front Gate opens at 9 a.m.
• Rodeo Slack Events: 11 a.m. (if needed)
• Grand Entry: noon
• Rodeo Performance: 12:30-5 p.m.
• Dancing/Entertainment: 12:30-7 p.m.
• Rodeo Awards Ceremony: 9 p.m.
• Meet the Rodeo Champions Party: 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

For more information go to www.ilgra.com.