Libby prepares for annual rodeo

The seventh annual Kootenai River Rodeo is ready to burst out of the gates on July 30-31 at J. Neils Memorial Park in Libby.

A top stock contractor, champion bullfighter, gut-busting clown and quality post-rodeo entertainment will all be part of this year’s event.

For those who want to save a few bucks on tickets, the presale ends at noon on July 30.

“Tickets are starting to move … they’ve been on sale a couple of months,” said Dusti Thompson, Libby Area Chamber of Commerce executive director. “We’ll do 1,500 each night … we’re probably right now sitting at 500 on Friday and 600 on Saturday.”

Those early ticket numbers are good and Thompson said they usually sell a lot at the gate. Tickets purchased ahead of time cost $10 each. At the gate, the ticket price is $12. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available at the chamber office, Timberline Auto and Homesteader’s.

For the third straight year, the rodeo’s purse and added money stands at $20,000 – equal to the event’s largest ever. The event is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Dodge Series and the Montana Pro Rodeo circuit.

JS Rodeo Co. out of Vaughn returns for a third straight year as stock contractor. The company has developed a reputation for providing quality bucking horses with stock from established Canadian bloodlines.

Pro bullfighter Mick Thompson returns to the Libby rodeo arena. Thompson, who works out of West Richland, Wash., has worked the event since its inception. J.J. Harrison returns this year to work as rodeo clown. Brent Jordan will serve as announcer.

The two days of the rodeo will feature events that fans have seen in past years, such as the mechanical bull, beer garden and live music. The queen coronation will occur on Friday evening (gates open at 4 p.m. both nights) and various vendors will be on hand. The rodeo action gets started at 7:30 p.m.

The Thomas Brothers Band out of Longview, Wash., will play both nights.

“It’s not your grandpa, grandma kind of country,” Thompson said. “It’s more modern country – a boot stompin’ and butt shakin’ good time.”

An addition to rodeo activities this year will be a parade, held in conjunction with the Fabulous Fifties reunion.

“They wanted to do a big one – it should be pretty-good sized,” Thompson said. “We have our sponsors and they’re putting vehicles and things in the parade and they’re doing a car for each class in the ’50s and 1960 so there will be quite of few of them as well.”

The parade lines up at 9 a.m., on Friday, July 30 with the start slated for 10 a.m. It will proceed down Mineral Avenue. Afterward, some bulls will be moved down to Timberline Auto where cowboys and other rodeo participants will sign autographs and meet with the public. Free hot dogs and refreshments are also part of that event.

The rodeo will also feature fun for the kids – including the boot race. In this event, young participants throw one shoe in a pile and then race for top honors. All of those competing win a prize.

“It gets them out there in the middle of the show and grandma and grandpa love it because the kids are out there in the arena,” Thompson said.

Besides the appearance at Timberline, the cowboys will also head over to the Libby Care Center on the morning of July 30 to visit with residents beginning at 10 a.m.

“They’re doing their normal activities. The cowboys will go to the care center and visit on Friday morning for those older folks who can’t get out in the heat,” Thompson said. “They’ll sign autographs and take pictures with them.”

For those with questions about the rodeo, give the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce a ring at 293-4167. For more information on the Thomas Brothers Band, see the Scene section in Friday’s edition of The Western News.

PRCA Kootenai River Rodeo

Friday, July 30

• 4 p.m. – Gates open for pre-rodeo events (vendors, beer garden and mechanical bull).

• 7 p.m. – Queen coronation.

• 7:30 p.m. – Rodeo begins with grand entry.

• Afterward – Thomas Brothers Band in concert, mechanical bull and beer garden.

Saturday, July 31

• 10 a.m. – Fabulous Fifties/Rodeo Parade down Mineral Avenue followed by cowboys, rodeo performers and bulls at Timberline Auto Center for free hot dogs and autographs/photos.

• 4 p.m. – Gates open for pre-rodeo events (vendors, beer garden and mechanical bull).

• 7:30 p.m. – Rodeo begins with grand entry.

• Afterward – Thomas Brothers Band in concert, mechanical bull and beer garden.