This year’s Kimball-Banner County fair rodeo is slated to be one of the biggest yet. The Kimball County AG society pulled out all the stops, so to speak, to bring to Kimball a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) rodeo event on Aug. 7 and 8.
PRCA is a national rodeo organization that has events throughout the nation. It was created in 1936 when a group of cowboys walked out of an event angry over the purse. They felt the cowboy’s entry fees should have been included. The result of the walk out was the formation of the Cowboys’ Turtle Association. It became the RCA (Rodeo Cowboys Association) in 1945 and then the PRCA in 1975.
The PRCA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo. They also house the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy there.
PRCA boasts champions like Speed Williams, Lane Frost, and Bruce Ford.
The PRCA event in Kimball is being produced by Cervi Rodeo productions. Cervi Rodeo was started more than 60 years ago by Mike Cervi. Cervi has served on the PRCA Board of Directors and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
In 2005 Mike turned the company over to his sons Binion and Chase Cervi. Joining the brothers is their cousin Scott. The Cervi family has produced rodeos all across the U.S. The company operates under the belief that good bucking stock, bucking and fighting bulls are essential to a quality rodeo. They hold strong to the belief that you need color in the front and strong employees in the back.
The Cervis have produced rodeos all over the country. Included this year are: National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO; Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, Denver, CO, Jan 9-10; Denver PBR, Denver, CO, January 11-13; San Antonio Extreme Bullriding, San Antonio, TX, February 4 & February 20; San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, San Antonio, TX, Feb 5- 20.
What makes this rodeo different than many area rodeos is that it is truly a professional event with it being a PRCA show. The rodeo will have a beer garden available to those over 21. It will be located on the northwest side of the rodeo grounds. The beer garden will open at 5 p.m. Gates will be open for spectators to the rodeo at 6 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
For the kids there is a chance to get in on the rodeo action as well. Mutton busting is a popular event involving kids riding on sheep. There is a weight and age requirement. Contact Sara Schnell for more information at 307-421-4275.
Ladies, while you are at the rodeo it is a good time to pick up an application for the position of Rodeo Queen and Rodeo Princess. Queen try-outs will be on August 14 with lunch and speeches open to the public. Lunch will be $5.00 a plate and will be served at 12:00 noon with speeches starting at 12:30. Anyone interested in attending the lunch needs to RSVP by August 10, 2010 to Sara Schnell at (307) 421-4275.
Ladies wanting to try out for the Kimball County Rodeo Queen or Kimball County Rodeo Princess can contact Sara Schnell at 307-421-4275 or Erika Backes at 307-630-2776 or pick up applications during the Kimball/Banner County Fair. Applications need to be submitted on or before August 9, 2010.
The current Queen and Princess is Tashonna Frye and Riyatta Frye. Hailing from Banner County, these girls are Honored to represent Kimball and Banner Counties at the fair and at the PRCA rodeo.
The fair begins Aug. 3 with shooting events to be held at the Kimball Event Center at 5 p.m. The following day will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with horse entries and I.D. checks. The 4-H horse show begins at 8:30 See the fair ad inside for a complete list of events.
