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MONROETON — Marisa Gilliland of Granville Summit is Miss Keystone State Rodeo 2021 and will be at the Monroeton Rodeo on Sunday, Sept. 12.
Gilliland, 23, is a Troy High School graduate who is working towards her medical degree and wants to be a traveling LPN. She has four horses and had a side business called The Bling Bandit.
“I started riding when I was 12. At 13-14 I was competing at small local shows. By the time I had my driver’s License, I was on the rodeo circuits themselves,” said Gilliland.
Gilliland is an avid barrel racer and beginning at breakaway roping. Rodeo is something that has always fascinated her, even at a young age.
“I don’t come from a rodeo family. My dad took me to a rodeo when I was 6-7 and I met a girl who had the same name as me running flags and competing and I was obsessed with it and I never lost it. We lived in the city. We are not from the country,” said Gilliland.
Gilliland and her family used to live in the city but then moved to Granville Summit.
“We lived in downtown Straudsburg, so obviously having a horse was not ideal,” she said.
Gilliland started riding with her friend and then eventually got a horse.
“I got my first horse and it took off from there and it never stopped and just got more competitive. Now as an adult, I still travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Florida, multiple times.”
She has previously held the titles of Miss Teen Rodeo Pennsylvania in 2017 and Miss Rodeo Pennsylvania 2019. She loves traveling, which is part of the job.
Gilliland is currently preparing for Miss Rodeo USA, which will take place at the beginning of next year.
“There’s a lot involved. It’s a lot more preparation than people think. However, it’s so worth it. I have met some of my biggest idols and have signed autographs sitting next to them. It’s really kind of crazy, the opportunities that come with the job,” she said.
For the event, gates open at 8 a.m. At 1 p.m., there will be a Lil’ Buckaroo rodeo for age groups 3-5 and 6-7.
Opening ceremonies with prayer and the National Anthem will begin at 2 p.m.
The rodeo will include: bull riding, steer wrestling, bare back brone, saddle back brone, calf roping, team calf roping and cowgirl barrel racing.
Tickets cost $5 for senior citizens, veterans and children under 4. For adult admission, the cost is $15. Tickets can be found at the Canton Sentinel office on Troy Street.
The event is hosted by the Monroeton Fire Co. It will take place at 65 Thrasher Lane, Mountaineer Park, Monroeton.
For more information, call Merle Bair at 570-441-3557. Check out their Facebook page.