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Photo by Kevin Zini.
Photo by Kevin Zini.
Photo by Kevin Zini.
IRON RIVER—It’s rodeo time again in Iron River. Get out your cowboy and cowgirl hats for a weekend of western-themed fun, July 12-13.
The U.P. Championship Rodeo, which is the only Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event in the State of Michigan, has been a staple of summer fun locally for more than five decades now and fans can expect another weekend of thrills and spills this year.
The rodeo brings fans from all over the region to Iron River with several events built around the actual rodeo performances, the two-day spectacle offers something for everyone as the U.P. Championship Rodeo continues to keep its tradition going.
This year, rodeo performances will be held on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 with crowd-pleasing events and entertainers. Spectators can cheer on professional cowboys and cowgirls for the bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc, barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down and breakaway roping events.
Rodeo entertainment includes the Rodeo City Riders, Home Town Heroes Youth Drill Team, and crowd participation events and fundraisers throughout the shows.
The first rodeo performance is slated for Friday at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. The second is Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., gates open at noon. The finale will go off at 7 p.m. with gates open at 5.
The performances will go on rain or shine at the Iron County Fairgrounds.
From U.S. 2, turn north on Seventh Avenue – the fairgrounds and the main entrance are at the north end of the street.
The rodeo performances form the centerpiece of the weekend but are no means the only festivities for folks to enjoy. There are the Wild West Parade, Market Days, Miss U.P. Rodeo Queen and Princess pageants.
This years announcer will be Jody Carper and our barrelman is the Green Hat Clown, Singley. The stock contractor is Three Hills Rodeo of Bernard, Iowa.
Ticket prices for the rodeo performances are $20 for adults, $8 for children 6-12. Kids 5 and under get in free. Tickets are available only at the gate.
Keep up to date with the rodeo at www.uprodeo.com and follow the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo - PRCA Rodeo on Facebook.