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News
News
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 7-8.
The U.P. Championship Rodeo, which is the only Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event in the Upper Peninsula, 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 7 and Saturday, July 8 with crowd-pleasing events and entertainers. Spectators can cheer on professional competitors 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. 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.
Here is a further breakdown of the schedule: (note the list of scheduled events is tentative. See uprodeo.com for updates.)
Friday, July 7:
Queen and princess horsemanship at the Rodeo Arena gets started at 8 a.m. Organizers encourage the public to attend this portion of the queen/princess competition. The young ladies perform patterns and display their riding skills at this time.
The contestants will also model the latest in Western fashion and answer questions about the sport of rodeo during that portion of their competition at 11 a.m. during Market Days, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Iron River. Genesee Street will be lined with vendors selling their wares. In previous years, vendors sold items such as maple syrup, chaga, homemade jewelry, wood carvings, leather crafts, western attire and custom cut-out fire rings.
Also during this time, the West Iron District Library will host the Friends of the Library’s Book and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gates open two hours prior to the rodeo performance, allowing fans to check out the arena vendors, grab something to eat and visit with rodeo royalty. Also prior to the rodeo performances, the Rodeo City Riders and Home Town Heroes Youth Drill Team return to entertain fans as they eagerly await the rodeo competition.
Friday night’s performance will once again support the Man Up Crusade, a nonprofit organization designed to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence. Spectators are asked to wear purple to support the campaign.
The stock contractor is Three Hills Rodeo of Bernard, Iowa.
Saturday, July 8:
Start the day with a pancake breakfast from 8-11:30 a.m. at the Iron River Senior Center before finding a spot to watch the ever-popular Wild West Parade that will kick off at 10 a.m. in downtown Iron River.
At 11 a.m., attend the Classic Farm Machinery of Iron County Antique Tractor Show and Brat Feed at the VFW located at 94 East Genesee St. in Iron River.
At noon, rodeo gates open with pre-rodeo entertainment by the Rodeo City Riders and the Home Town Heroes Youth Drill Team. The second rodeo performance of the weekend begins at 2 p.m. At this performance only, children 6-12 will be admitted for free with a paying adult.
The final performance begins at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5. Once again, the Rodeo City Riders and the Home Town Heroes Youth Drill Team begin the evening with pre-rodeo entertainment. Saturday night performance will once again feature the Tough Enough to Wear Pink event.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m. the U.P. Rodeo Queen and U.P. Rodeo Princess will be crowned in the Rodeo Arena. The 2023 Miss U.P. Rodeo will receive a $1,000 scholarship, award belt buckle, a traveling crown and chaps.
The 2023 U.P. Rodeo Princess will receive an award buckle and crown. Miss U.P. Rodeo Queen contestants will be given awards in horsemanship, rodeo knowledge, appearance, public relations and 1st runner-up. Miss U.P. Rodeo Princess contestants will be given awards in horsemanship, appearance, rodeo knowledge and 1st runner-up. Miss Congeniality will be awarded to the young lady voted on by her peers.
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 this year.
Keep up to date with the rodeo at www.uprodeo.com and follow the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo - PRCA Rodeo on Facebook.