August 31, 2022 Issue, Page 12 of 30

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amt (a (id Iconic Elk City business offers weekend extravaganza for Rodeo Weekend By Shonda Little partnering with the community during the Ro- deo Weekend made sense. Generations of western Oklahomas grew up While Elk City is hundreds of miles from Dis- hearing the Circle A Western Wear jingle on the ney, Rodeo Weekend is a unique childhood won- radio. derland. And the Alberts understood that. They ‘The late Raymond Albert started the business helped get little children dudded up in the best forty years ago at 3000 West 3rd Street. Like cowboy clothes to attend the festivities and be- any seasoned patriarch, he utilized his children come a vendor for tickets. and grandchildren in the venture. For many years, they were the backdrop for professional photos taken of countless kids and The catchy ad featured his grandchildren sign- ing, "Circle A Western Wear, the circle of qual- their families. ity.” But times change, and the business has The retail business carried apparel that sold evolved to include more than just western wear. well in the famed "Boom," and the fashion Now it is a one-stop shop for all things out- trends of the "Urban Cowboy" only assisted in doors, while being fashion-forward for trendy Edward Albert, Terry Jordan and Edward's son Sam Al- that. teens. bert have been making Circle A into a Rodeo of Champi- But for the Albert family, Beckham County Circle A, as the locals have coined it, has done ons icon for forty years. Courtesy photo. residents were their preferred customer. So See Circle A page 3. We are excited to welcome the rodeo back to town! Everyone that makes the Rodeo happen each year is truly an inspiration. We hope Western Oklahoma gets out and supports all the men and women who make it possible! Great Plains Bank Member Great Plains FDIC National Bank