LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - The 77th annual ABC pro rodeo kicks off on Thursday night for their last time in the Lubbock Municipal Auditorium and Coliseum. This year’s theme is “the last ride.” The ABC Pro Rodeo has been coming to Lubbock since 1943, but for the last 63 years, they’ve called the coliseum home.

“They started the ABC rodeo in 1943 to help support the boys club of Lubbock back then" said Ray Short, the Chairman for the 77th Annual ABC Pro Rodeo. He said Lubbock’s downtown chapter of AMBUCS is the oldest in the state. Over the years, they’ve raised a lot of money that helps out locally.

“I know we’ve given over $2 million to the Boys and Girls Club of Lubbock. All of the money we raise through sponsors or tickets all stays here in Lubbock.”

This year’s rodeo will be the last event ever for the coliseum, which is also fitting since, "The ABC Rodeo was the very first event ever held in the coliseum in 1956” said Short.

After the rodeo, the coliseum will be torn down. Event organizers don’t know where the next rodeo will be held. Short said they want to focus on getting through the current rodeo before they start that search.

“It tugs at your heart a little bit, just knowing the amount number of friends that I’ve made in this organization and because of this building, yeah, it’s sad that it’s going to be going away,” said Short. “The building is going away; the ABC rodeo is not. We’ll continue on, like I said it’s kind of heartfelt.”

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