BIG SPRING, Texas – For the past 83 years, this west Texas community has had a considerable legacy.

“We have a strong history, and we have a good amount of second-, third- and fourth-generation families that are still involved our rodeo,” said Dane Driver, a longtime member of the volunteer committee that organizes the annual Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo, set for 8 p.m. Thursday, June 16-Saturday, June 18, at the Big Spring Rodeo Bowl.

“The history and the legacy of what we’re about to do is what makes me the proudest.”

He should be. The Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo is a major community event. Even more importantly is that locals are the ones behind the scenes, albeit a small group consisting of less than 30 people.

“I cannot brag enough on the volunteers that help put on our rodeo,” Driver said. “If it wasn’t for the strength of the individuals on the committee, it wouldn’t happen. Their heart is putting that rodeo on.

“The small-business owners who are on the committee always reroute their time and energy, and they have people in their offices who focus on the rodeo. They have to make major adjustments to their businesses to handle what they handle.”

Driver understands that better than most. He’s the third generation of his family to be involved in aspects of the celebration. By the time the competition begins later this week, the committee will hand over the bulk of the production to the staff from Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, a Dallas-based stock contracting company that has been part of the Big Spring rodeo for more than a decade.

“We are Pete’s first rodeo, and we’re proud of that,” Driver said. “I remember when he met with my dad and said what he’s about. It’s been that and more. It’s been a hell of a building process to watch his company grow. The good thing for us is that he’s grown our production. The production he’s done for us has done nothing but get better.

“What he does for our production is noticed. A lot of people can put on a rodeo, but very few can put a production on at the level Pete does. He constantly strives to have the best people in the industry with him.”

The Carr team produces dozens of rodeos a year and has been recognized as one of the very best stock contracting firms in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Pete Carr has been nominated as PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year four times, and no other contractor in ProRodeo has had more animals selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo over the past three years.

“What I really like about Pete is that he has treated us like we’re one of the big winter rodeos,” Driver said. “He doesn’t treat us small even though we’re a small rodeo. He gets a lot of respect for that. It makes the local guys feel like they’re doing all this for a reason.

“When our committee hands him the reins, they’re confident they’re going to get the best bang for the buck.”

That’s a winning combination in Big Spring.