Due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and declaration of a local emergency in Springfield, Mo. and surrounding areas, City Utilities of Springfield and MEA Energy Association (MEA) are cancelling the 2021 National Gas Rodeo, scheduled for September 17-18, 2021. As a member-based organization, we must be prudent when considering your wellbeing and that of participants, supporters, and spectators as well as the safety of your communities.
“We’re disappointed that this decision needed to be made, especially after the cancellation of the 2020 National Gas Rodeo [due to COVID-19],” said Gary Gibson, CEO and general manager of City Utilities of Springfield. “Our region is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases…we, along with MEA officials, feel that cancelling the event is necessary to protect teams and visitors who had planned to attend the event.”
Randy Donaldson, rodeo steering committee chair, echoes that sentiment. “This is certainly disappointing as we were so looking forward to getting back together,” he said. “But safety for the teams and all the volunteers was just too important. We’ll be back and when we are, it will be something really great.”
If you are registered for the event, MEA will issue a full refund within 15 days. If you need to cancel a flight, car rental, or other reservations related to the National Gas Rodeo, please contact those entities directly.
“We want to encourage all of our partners to make plans to join us next year in Springfield,” said Gibson, “and for the teams competing in the rodeo to continue practicing your skills, as we look forward to an exciting return of the National Gas Rodeo.”
We truly value your excitement and enthusiasm for the National Gas Rodeo and urge you to save the dates of September 15-17, 2022 for the next National Gas Rodeo, hosted in Springfield, Mo.
Please contact John Gann by email at [email protected] or phone (651) 289-9600 x105 with any questions.