Playing a role with the bull riders

To learn more about the Pro Bull Riders (PBR) tour coming to Covelli Centre this weekend, see the story below (sorry online readers).

For the backstory, stay here.

The PBR is a dependable bit of midwinter family entertainment. It promises a taste of danger from the raging bulls – who are probably as unhappy with showbiz as the elephants in the Ringling Bros. Circus.

The riders come from far and wide, but Valley native Candace Campana, an aspiring country singer, will sing the National Anthem both nights (Friday and Saturday).

It’s not her first rodeo. She has sung the National Anthem at many local sporting events (and yes, Campana also gets credit for that pun).

The 26-year-old graduate of Youngstown State University and Struthers High School got her professional career started back in 2009, when she released music on a label out of Alabama that garnered some attention in the South.

Campana is currently working with a management team out of Philadelphia, and plans to release some new music this year.

She landed the National Anthem gig at this weekend’s events after submitting tapes to the PBR.

While we’re on the topic, did you ever wonder where the PBR bulls stay while the show is in town?

Me neither.

But – this time, at least – they are staying at Mercer Livestock’s facilities, which are on U.S. Route 19, just north of Mercer, Pa.

Mercer Livestock serves the region’s agricultural industry and regularly holds livestock auctions.

Rod Loomis, president of the company, said the PBR picked Mercer Livestock because of its outstanding animal holding facilities.

The PBR contracts with outside companies to supply the bulls for the shows, and those companies have to get the bulls to Mercer first, and then to Covelli Centre and back again.

The animals, Loomis said, are worth huge amounts of money and require a lot of attention, including rest, grooming and a special diet.

THE END OF THE CIRCUS

I was as sad as anyone to hear that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is ending its 146-year run in May.

The circus seemed to defy time by hanging on well into the “stare at your phone” era, and I figured it would go on forever.

It stayed fresh by cherrypicking modern acts, including Cirque-style performers, to go along with the traditional clowns, daredevils, elephants and tigers.

I’m not going to get into the animal-rights groups’ successful efforts to remove elephants – which the circus partially blames for its sudden drop in ticket sales. It’s a big reason for the circus’ demise, but not the only one.

Maybe another circus will step up and assume the role of industry leader. But I’m afraid the glory days are gone for good.

And by the way, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also targets bull riding.

Guy D’Astolfo covers entertainment for The Vindicator.