Cowboy Culture2017-04-27T20:17:47+00:00

Ron Bergeron: Cowboy Culture

“I have never traded my airboats for yachts or my rodeo horses for thoroughbreds…”

A true cowboy at heart, Ron Bergeron has competed in professional rodeo for 30+ years. In 1987 Ron qualified for the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has won numerous championship belt buckles and saddles over the years. One of his proudest achievements was in 2006 when he was inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame for his success in the rodeo arena. To this day you can find him roping every Wednesday night at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds which the Town of Davie named after his family to honor the contributions they have made to the sport and the Town. He was also instrumental in passing of the 99 year deed restriction which protects the rodeo grounds from encroaching development.

History of the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds

The Bergeron Rodeo Grounds formally known as the Davie Rodeo Arena dates back to the early 1940s when local residents cleared a parcel of land in the heart of Davie in hopes of bringing rodeo to the small South Florida town. Many pioneer families are credited for building the rodeo grounds including Claude Tindall and Percy Bergeron, father of Ron Bergeron, Sr.

In 1978 the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds were almost lost to encroaching development. Hundreds of residents on horseback showed up to a Town Council meeting in protest. Fortunately, the Town Council understood the importance of this culture and the arena was saved and the Davie Rodeo Association was formed. To this day the Davie Rodeo Association hosts a jackpot rodeo every Wednesday night at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds.

In 1984-85 a roof was added to the arena attracting more Rodeo events. In 1995, Ron Bergeron, Sr. donated $150,000 toward the purchase of land for parking followed by $300,000 donation in 1996 to landscape and pave the entrance at Davie Road. For his generous contributions, the property was named the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds and the arena was then called the Bergeron Arena.

The Bergeron Rodeo Grounds serve as Davie’s main tourist attraction hosting PRCA rodeos every other month and the PRCA Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo every November. The grounds also hosts many other diverse events such as concerts, monster truck shows, dog shows, horse shows, airboat shows, specialty shows and industrial shows.

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