By Ruth Ann Ruiz
The Post Newspaper Features Editor
It’s been a lot of work to pull it together and all the hard work is paying off. The installation of permanent bleachers is nearly complete for the upcoming Bulls on Bolivar event which will be held Easter weekend, Saturday, April 4.
“The community has done a lot to raise funds for the bleachers,” said Leanne Comeaux, a member of the Bolivar Arena Association. Residents of Bolivar hosted events such as chicken runs, gumbo cook-offs, and finally the ground was broken for the bleachers, and concrete was poured to cement in their permanency.
Bull riding and more ‘western’ style events are a vision that members of the Bolivar Arena Association has in mind as they work towards bringing back the days of children and adults engaging with livestock on the peninsula.
Not only will April 4th host bull riding, but there will also be mutton busting and a sheep scramble for children. Along with the events in the arena there will be food vendors and vendors of the cool stuff often found at Coastal Texas events, along with plans for face painting and music.
Bulls on Bolivar has its roots in the Simpton Rodeo Arena which the board members fondly recall as having a draw for the community over 40 years ago. Then in 2020 the idea of a rodeo on Bolivar was revived and in 2021 the first Bulls on Bolivar was held. Onther one was held in 2022. Both events drew hundreds of attendees, vendors, music, and excitement, reported board member Sharon McCurdy.
Out of those two events a vision was born, and it was time for the peninsula to invest in their vision. Thus, in May 2025 the dream started to take shape when the Bolivar Arena Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was formed. The first hurdle, purchasing bleachers rather than renting as had been done for the two previous events, has been accomplished.
But they have not yet raised the funds for a permanent rodeo arena and this year’s event will be held in a rented arena. They report there will be up to 30 bull riders coming in for the Easter weekend.
Though the bulls will be ridden this year in a rented arena, the excitement and fever of hosting a livestock event is catching on and the community is looking forward to Saturday, April 4 — gates open at 11 a.m. at Swedes Park, 1605 Hwy 87, Bolivar, Texas 77650.
The association and community are busy with all the final details in preparation for April 4 and if you want more information on how to get involved, visit https://www.bolivararena.org
Sponsorships are still needed and the future arena will require more fund raising, so if you want to send along your support, be sure to reach out to the Bolivar Arena Association.
