Civic Center signs deal to keep PBR in town for five years

Posted Friday, July 17, 2009

SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas – Fans in Hopkins County made a statement when they sold out the final performance of the PBR Challenge in 2008.

Just this summer, the organizers behind this terrific event made another statement when the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center and the TwoBulls Group signed a five-year agreement to bring the PBR back to Sulphur Springs through 2013.

We are so proud to have the PBR committed to a five-year contract,” said Dottie Ford, operations manager for the civic center. “We realize by hosting the show, it brings a financial boost to our local economy in the form of dollars spent at the hotels, restaurants and shopping venues.

“The PBR has choices as to where they can produce shows, and we’re fortunate to have been selected. It is our great desire that our local merchants and community realize the benefits of this event and what it brings to the community and continue to support this production.”

TwoBulls Group president Jim McLain Jr. has teamed with Emory ranchers Donny Gowin and Jay Weddle, owners of Superior Genetics, to bring world-class bull-riding, bullfighting and bucking-bull competitions to east Texas, and they have secured Texas Heritage National Bank as the title sponsor for the 2009-2010 events.

“Texas Heritage National Bank is proud to be associated with the PBR in bringing clean, fun, family entertainment to Hopkins County,” said Jo Don Mashburn, the bank’s vice president. “This is something people have talked about since last year’s event, and we’re excited to be part of the action.”

McLain said the TwoBulls group is excited about Texas Heritage National Bank joining its family of PBR partners.

“We appreciate Texas Heritage National Bank’s dedication to the community and east Texas and are excited to have it assume the title position for 2009 and 2010,” McLain said. “This partnership perpetuates the growth of this event as an economic stimulator for the businesses of Sulphur Springs and all of east Texas.”

And signing the contract with the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center is also a testament to the community’s commitment to quality family entertainment.

“The TwoBulls Group is excited to extend this partnership with the Hopkins County Civic Center into 2013 and further,” McLain said. “It is always a pleasure to bring an event of this caliber to a community that shows such strong support.

When Donnie Gowin and Jay Weddle approached us to co-produce this event with them last year, they stated right up front that this would be the best fan base with the biggest growth opportunity of any market we produce in the United States, and they were right. To see how east Texas has accepted and supported this event is overwhelming, to say the least. It is our commitment and goal to bring a better show each and every year to preserve this honored support.”