you can’t just go home after a rodeo. especially not when you don your go-to pink cowgirl hat. it just wouldn’t be right. the hat must make appearances! and when people put on boots, they mean business. and that business lasts all night long. which also translates to really long lines at the local country/line-dancing bar. in davie, this means the round-up. where the line is like country fashion runway. snake-skin, alligator skin, low boots, high boots, wranglers, diesel, flannel, sequins… and they are workin’ it. and the inside is even better. the round up is pretty spectacular. and they have amazing drink prices. i’m pretty sure i had three (or five) mixed drinks for all of like $5. let’s just say that added the magic of the evening. we scored a high table overlooking the dance floor, and the whole aura made it feel like we were outside at a county fair just a-waitin’ for a cowboy to ask us to dance. and about the dancing… luckily i remembered some of the dances from a distant past in central florida (where country dancing tends to be an exciting night out). however, most of the dances, i felt i needed to have either study on youtube beforehand, or thought to myself ‘oh hell no. i can total foreshadow the broken ankle here.’ mostly, i just made a fool out of myself and my friends by trying to learn these overly choreographed dances regardless. what ever happened to free-style? but change is good, and i truly believe in a’s for effort. and so we [tried to] dance. while groups of people walked in circles around the dance floor making the place seem a little like a country version of the skating rink circa middle school. however, i really loved this place. great atmosphere, fun dancing, cheap [and surprisingly good] drinks, fine people and an overall good time. so, my recommendation for next time your in davie: save a horse…
http://www.roundupcountry.com/
i had never been to a rodeo before. and then randomly, one day, i thought: ‘wow, i should really do that.’ weird. but i was like, there is no way there is a rodeo in south florida. ah. and then i remembered davie. and then i googled. and then i went. but you can’t ‘just’ go to the rodeo. an entire itinerary and wardrobe is needed. it started with soliciting (forcing) friends to go with me, polishing the boots, getting a hat, and for the boys, apparently a lot of plaid and flannel. oh, and tom jenkins. where it goes next… you’ll see in the next post. the rodeo is an interesting experience. i truly felt i was in a small town - and the people knew i didn’t really belong there (thank god). but it was fun to be on the inside for a moment. people were high off the concert that had happened earlier that day. i mean, this was no regular rodeo. this was the one, the only, southwestern circuit pro rodeo finals (!). and people were dressed up for the occasion! their best wranglers were ironed, and the ladies rocked the sequins. there were sequins on vests, hats, boots, bras, bracelets, whatever you could bedazzle, was bedazzled. it was amazing. i’m not really a diy girl myself. so, i was truly impressed by the drive to work that hard. just for sequins. when we entered the grounds there were (of course) tractors. you could just sit on them. test ‘em out. i think there was even a contest to win one (i did not enter, only because knowing south beach parking, it would 100% get towed. otherwise, i love winning things). there was also a little market where, mainly women, were selling more sequined merchandise. and there was a bar dedicated only to beer. and cotton candy. and people singing country music on a stand alone microphone, awkwardly near the tractors. and then there was the rodeo. the bright lights. the cheers. the oohhhs and ahhhs. as an animal lover, it was more than hard to watch. and i got more than one dirty look when i would erupt cheering for the animal on the field and laugh when the cowboys did horribly. but really. you cowboys have the upper-hand. it’s not even fair. anyway, i digress. they had the crowning of some rodeo princess or something of the like, and it was hilarious. she had on a lime green sequined sweat suit. and i was able to eat cotton candy, talk nice to some cows, have a few beers, be with good friends and buy an amazing pink cowgirl hat. all in all, the rodeo was a success. now, if only they would set the animals free, and go up against robots… i’d actually go back for that match.
http://www.davie-fl.gov/gen/daviefl_spclprjcts/bergeronrodeo
if you’re ever on your way to davie - go to tom jenkins’. it’s the best bbq in south florida (i have a few friends that have literally tried every bbq place in south florida - at least two to three times -and still swear this is the best. sometimes i like when people do the work for me. good job, boys!). now, you might wonder a) why i was going to davie and b) how a pescatarian could recommend a bbq place, well, ever. answer a: you’ll find out in the next post, i promise. answer b: because they actually had stuff i could eat. and a bbq place that has stuff a pescatarian can eat is pretty much my hero. and i don’t just mean starches (although the mac and cheese and corn bread are to die for). they have bbq catfish. and not just any catfish. but mississippi catfish. (not that the mississippi part is particularly relevant. it’s just been a long time since i got to write out mississippi and it seemed like way to much fun to miss the opportunity. mississippi.) the atmosphere is pretty cool too. like you’ve stepped into the actual south. they have picnic tables. inside. so it’s all cute and family-like (although a little awkward when you’re sitting on the side of the bench closest to the line where you put in your order, staring into the label of a lot of wranglers. although, if you like wranglers, and the area they cover, this seat is probably a lot fun for you. but i digress…). the food is great, the atmosphere is fun (if you like packed bbq joints with the staff yelling out the names of orders) and it’s good to know a good joint if you’re ever heading into davie. in case, you know, you ever have to actually go there.
http://www.tomjenkinsbbq.com/
