BELLE — The Belle Ya Yas had 70 volunteers and raised an estimated $20,000 during the Sept. 27-28 Battle of the Bulls Bucking for a Cure evenet. Funds are used to provide fuel credits to local residents who are receiving treatment for debilitating diseases.

Ya Ya’s President Cindy Butler said this year’s two-day event went well, despite the rain on Friday night.

“Despite the rain we had on Friday, the performance time was good,” Butler said. “The crowd, as far as volume, was down, but those who attended were supporters and it was a really good show. Several riders made it to eight seconds and 10 out of the top 25 riders for the National Federation of Professional Bull Riders were present.”

The bull riders seemed to appreciate the two-day event.

“It was a hit with the athletes who come to perform for us,” Butler said. “One kid had an 11-hour drive back home. They come, drive 11 hours to perform for two nights in a row in the same location and drive back home. It’s a benefit to them and lures them to us. There are increased expenses when you do two nights.”

Riders tend to stay in Owensville and Linn but eat locally.

A few riders sustained injuries during the event and one was taken to the hospital, but no one was seriously injured.

“We had fireworks on Friday and Saturday night from the Maries County Sheriff after the shows and Saturday night, County Line Band played.”

The food was also a big hit.

“We had walking tacos and Philly cheese steak sandwiches on hoagies,” Butler said.

The 2024 event was the first time the group attempted a two-day program. Butler said if the group had only planned a Friday night event, it may not have gone over well due to the weather. They took the same risk for Saturday, but the weather turned out fine.

“It’s really hard to evaluate a two-day event when the weather was so crappy for Friday,” Butler said. “It still feels like attendance was down. We always pray for better weather and prayed hard on Saturday that it wouldn’t be raining. We buck whether it’s raining or not.”

Despite the lower attendance on Friday, Butler said she felt Saturday went smoothly and the crowd was supportive.

“Saturday night was almost a relief,” she said. “There is always set up and tear down no matter how many days, but Saturday I didn’t feel as worn out from the two days versus the one day.”

She added that the friendly competition with the Linn Lion’s Club continued as they recently started a program and expressed they wanted an event as big as the Ya Yas.

“They came Friday night to see how it was ran,” Butler said. “It became a fun challenge back and forth with each other to keep stepping up the game and making it better.”

So many entities donated to help with the event.

“The Maries County Sheriff actually picked up our trash,” Butler said. “RadioWire gave us wifi at the park so we could live stream the event. Bits and pieces were posted and live-streamed both nights.”

Between an estimated 20 members of the Ya Yas, the gate attendants and Mike Green’s six to eight grill masters who began smoking meat on Sept. 25, Butler said the event took nearly 70 volunteers to run successfully and fundraise the amount it did. She hopes to have more exact profit numbers soon.

“We are extremely grateful,” Butler said “Talking to other producers, we are blessed to make that kind of profit. We realize that’s our community supporting us.”

The Ya Yas have t-shirts and some long-sleeve shirts and hoodies left for sale from over the weekend. Sizes are limited. If anyone is interested in purchasing them, they should message the Belle Ya Ya’s on Facebook.