XIT Rodeo & Reunion - Dalhart, Texas

The XIT Rodeo parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6th, 2011. The theme of the parade this year is "Trails of XIT". The XIT Rodeo parade is Americana at its best! There are few like it left in America today. A tree-lined, 100-year-old street dotted with American flags, horses, antique cars, bands... There are lots of horses, rodeo queen contestants, and old farm equipment. Not to mention lots of candy for the kids!!!

For complete parade information, click here.

Want to be in the parade? You may download your entry form here or you can pick up a entry form at the Dalhart Chamber of Commerce office. Entry in the parade is free, and the deadline to register is Friday, July 29, 2011 at 5:00 pm. Entry forms should be returned to the Dalhart Chamber of Commerce.

2011 XIT Rodeo Parade Marshall - Bob Beller

Robert Beller, the Voice of KXIT and The Great High Plains for 49 years, has been named the Parade Marshal for the 75th XIT Parade. Beller was born in 1927 to Alphonse and Mary Beller in St. Paul, Kansas. He was one of seven children. He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1944 at the age of 16. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, at the age of 16, in which he served his country in World War II on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet in the Pacific from 1944-1946. During that time, the U.S.S. Hornet was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the air, ash, and afloat in the Pacific War area from 1944 to 1945. In 1946, Beller received his honorable discharge. After the war, Bob attended Central Radio and Television School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated in 1948 with a degree in radio electrical engineering. One of his first jobs was in Shamrock, Texas. He served as Engineer and helped get the radio station on the air for the first time. Through friends, Bob met Bonnie Martin in Shamrock; they were married in April 1950 in Independence, Kansas. Bob and Bonnie celebrated their 61st Anniversary this April. Beller worked at many radio stations in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas, where he worked as engineer and chief radio engineer. Bob moved his family to Dalhart in October 1952, at which time he purchased KXIT from Ed and Baird Bishop. Bob was the owner and manager of KXIT for 49 years. He has been a behind the scene community leader, but people knew him as the Voice of KXIT. His broadcast of local news, sports and interviews, made him known as the broadcast voice of the Dalhart Wolves. He was a pioneer in radio, bringing FM radio to Dalhart in 1967. Bob has donated many on-air minutes to various events and organizations. During this time, he has received numerous awards for his service, including The Golden Nail Award, given for extraordinary support to the Fine Arts. He sold KXIT to George Chambers, with the transfer of ownership on January 1, 2001. Bob Beller has been an active member of the community, serving as XIT Director from 1963-1966, and held the office of President and Vice-President. He also has served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, has been a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church since 1952, and has served on the Parish Board. Bob and his wife Bonnie have three children, Don Beller who lives in Amarillo, Joe Beller who lives in Dalhart, and Sheryl Muller who resides in Trophy Club, Texas They have 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.