Rodeo comes to town Friday

The Kootenai River Rodeo is preparing for its ninth go-round this Friday and Saturday, and the entertainment is courtesy of a prodigal son.

Mike Schikora, a singer-songwriter raised in Libby, will be rocking J. Neils Park on July 27 and 28 at the rodeo.

Schikora, who describes his style of music as a blues and country sort of fusion, played in Libby in 2007, but his hometown debut was marred.

“I was sick. My big debut was doused by illness,” Schikora said. “I’m ready to prove myself this time.”

One of his biggest songs, “Back Under Montana Skies,” describes a young man returning to his hometown in Montana 20 years after leaving. He lived that in 2007, 20 years after heading to Nashville in 1987 to try and make a mark in the music industry.

And now, 25 years after leaving Libby, Schikora’s first professionally produced album, “Horses and Guitars,” released on Tuesday and gets to rock all night Friday and Saturday in his birthplace.

“I’m not sure that it has hit me yet,” he said. “This is the best part of my summer.”

More than just Schikora, the rodeo promises fun all weekend long, including a parade up Mineral Avenue at 11 a.m. Saturday, where rodeo lovers can meet some of the animals (and the riders) at Timberline Auto before they enter the arena.

According to Dusti Thompson, the Kootenai River Rodeo Chairwoman, there are going to be enough attractions to keep everyone busy.

“We have 137 contestants, which is enough for a full show both nights,” Thompson said. “And we have the famous boot race, where all the kids come down and race.”

J.J. Harrison will be returning as one of the Northwest’s best rodeo clowns, and as a special treat this year, the rodeo will give “Hats off to Hometown Heroes,” in which Sheriff Robby Bowe will honor five local heroes 7 p.m Friday.

Tickets are $10 pre-order and $12 at the gate. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. both nights.