COUNTY FAIR PREVIEWS
After a sluggish 2024, this year’s PRCA Rodeo is setting up to be a big one
Jeremy Trulock, chair of the Lyon County Fair Rodeo Board, will be the first to concede that last year’s rodeo wasn’t exactly one for the books.
While the crowd at the two-day PRCA event last summer was as strong as ever, Trulock said the competition didn’t live up to past years. But that was last year, and Trulock believes the metaphorical blessing in disguise for 2025 will result in a much better show this year for all rodeo fans.
“Last year, I’ll be the first to admit, it was a poor show,” Trulock said. “We didn’t have the contestants we were hoping for that we’ve had in the past; we were really short on the rough-stock riders, the bull riders, the bronc riders. We had to bring in others for ranch bronc riding, where they used a western saddle — and those guys actually rode broncs and bulls to make it look like we had some contestants.”
Trulock said given how late the fair falls in the rodeo season, it can be difficult to lure the top riders, who can medically draw out of the competition. Trulock was told that if the board can come up with more prize money for each event, that would help bring more contestants in.
“We went from $2,200 each event added money last year to $3,000 added money this year,” he said. “That’s the added money — whenever they register, they pay a fee and 80% of that will go back toward their winnings. We got all the day sheets (Tuesday) for all the contestants — we’ve got a lot. We’ve got eight bull riders each night, we’ve got eight to 10 bronc riders each night, and all the other events are full, too.”
Trulock’s father, Roger, and Dick Richards started the rodeo about 30 years ago — two years of amateur rodeo and 28 years of professional rodeo.
“Dick did retire from the committee, so we’re going to give a big shout-out to him the next couple days,” Trulock said.
The PRCA Rodeo, which is at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the fairgrounds, long ago became one of the fair’s centerpieces, along with the demolition derby.
“We’re two nights with a packed house,” Trulock said. “It’s standing room only; we had to turn people away last year.”
Trulock said added bleachers have been brought in this year to accommodate the always-growing crowd.
“For years, we couldn’t fill the stands and we had tons of contestants, and now, the last few years, it’s been kind of opposite,” Trulock said. “I’m really hoping that we have both this year. We’ve got the contestants, and I hope (last year) doesn’t deter anyone from coming.”
With the added money up for grabs this year, the cost for the rodeo to come to Marshall for two days is about $68,000, Trulock said.
“Without our great sponsors and the people who come to watch, this event won’t happen,” said Trulock. “We want to put on a good family show for two nights.”
Of course, the rodeo is just one of the many draws of every fair.
While the fair kicked off Wednesday, there is plenty in store in the coming days. On Thursday (Disability Awareness Day), the Ralco Enrichment Center is open to the public from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and the carnival begins at 3 p.m., and the Ninja Experience is from 4-6 p.m.. The pedal pull is at 5 p.m., and the Minneapolis-based cover band “Show Me Your Hits” will hit the stage at 8:30 p.m.
The Ralco Enrichment Center opens again at 10 a.m. Friday, and Day Care Days is from 10 a.m.-noon. The beer garden re-opens at 6 p.m., and “Rhino,” a Top 40 Party Rock Dance band, will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. to close out the day.
Saturday is Senior Citizens Day, with the senior citizens’ and veterans’ programs starting at 10:30 a.m., with bingo to follow. The midway opens at 1 p.m. Saturday also features the One Man Band (1 p.m.), Lego Contest (1 p.m.), three Ninja showings and the demolition derby at 7 p.m. The day is capped off by Time Machine at 7 p.m., followed by Arch Allies at 9:30 p.m.
The SMSU Pork Chop feed will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, with carnival rides starting at 1 p.m.
Murray County Fair
Over in Slayton, the Murray County Fair has plenty of things going on Thursday, including the Prairie Ecology Bus (1-7 p.m.), Apple Pie Contest judging followed by pie and ice cream at Heritage Hall (1 p.m.), Teddy Bear Mobile (2 p.m.) and Tony Moger Music (9:30 p.m.)
Friday features paintball at 1 p.m., a petting zoo at 2 p.m., inflatables, and a tractor pull (5:30 p.m.). Singer Blake Schmitz will perform at 7 p.m.; stock car races being at 7:30 p.m.); and “Show Me Your Hits” will perform at 8:30 p.m.
The 4-H Ribbon Auction is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and bingo will begin at 4:30 p.m. Museum buildings and the log cabin will also be open Saturday, and the Prairie Days Parade starts at 1 p.m.
