Kootenai River Stampede kicks off this weekend

The 18th annual Kootenai River Stampede PRCA Rodeo will be held Friday and Saturday at J. Neils Arena in Libby.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the grand entry beginning at 7:30 p.m. both nights at the J. Neils Memorial Park Rodeo Arena located on Montana 37.

Presale tickets are $17 for adults while those tickets will be $20 at the gate. Military veterans, seniors (age 60 and over) and students (age 7-15) can purchase tickets for the presale price of $12 or at the gate for $14. Kids 6 and under are admitted free.   

Tickets are available from the following ticket outlets: Libby Area Chamber, Timberline Auto Center, Homesteaders Farm & Ranch Supply, The Printing Press and High Spirits Liquor. In Troy, tickets can be obtained at The Silver Spur Restaurant. For computer savvy folk, tickets are available online as well.

To complement the fast paced traditional rodeo action will be the return of the much anticipated Alberta Miniature Chuck Wagon racers. 

High school Close-Up students again will be directing the parking duties this year. They will also have transportation for disabled rodeo fans who might need assistance from the parking lot to the grandstands.  This is a “by donation” service provided which helps these students earn a once-in-a-lifetime educational trip to Washington, D.C. next spring.

JS Rodeo will provide the stock and is known for its top-notch bucking animals. Contestants will be competing for added purse money this year.

A break in the action will include competition for the local kids. Friday night, the very young will compete in the boot race while Saturday night the older kids will scramble to snatch the ribbon off the tail of a fast-footed calf.  The winner each night will be awarded a new pair of boots from Murdoch’s Ranch Supply.  All the young participants will receive a coupon for a free ice cream treat from the 4Bs Antlers Restaurant.

Excitement and cowboy safety will be provided by bull fighters Tori Ozane and Ryker Fendermaker with rodeo clown/barrelman Kyle Bode tucked away in his padded specialty barrel offering a safe haven for any unfortunately stranded cowboy with a “hungry” bull on the prowl. 

A very special poignant moment comes after the bullriding and dust settles. Immediately following the last bull leaving the arena, stock contractor John Smith, who carries his equine babies with their working mothers to each rodeo, will turn the herd of mares and foals into the arena to parade, under the lights, to the delight of the audience, as announcer Brent Jordan shares a beautiful heart felt "Tribute to the Horse.”

Various vendor booths will provide a bite to eat with choices ranging from the hot dog and hamburger variety to Rosita’s chips and salsa and BBQ.

There will be a Kiddie Korral with fun activities for the much younger children, provided by the Rock Springs and Libby Baptist churches. After experiencing last year unseasonable temperatures, Ace Hardware is setting up a misting tent on the south end of the bleachers.